At Cape Ann c. 19th century

Stephen Parrish created this etching, titled "At Cape Ann," in the late 19th or early 20th century. Parrish, born into a prominent Philadelphia Quaker family, was an artist known for his coastal scenes. This piece, rendered in delicate lines, depicts a serene view of Cape Ann, Massachusetts. During this period, the American art scene was increasingly focused on capturing the nation's landscapes as a way to define a distinctly American identity. Parrish's choice to depict Cape Ann is therefore very intentional. How might the rocky, somewhat untamed scenery reflect or shape our understanding of American identity and cultural values at the time? Parrish's work invites us to consider the historical and cultural contexts that shape our perceptions of place and identity. Think about what it meant, and perhaps still means, to see and represent the American landscape. How do these landscapes connect with personal and collective narratives of belonging?