Pilot Boats 

Paul Shaub, born in 1923, created this print titled 'Pilot Boats' using woodcut, a relief printing technique. Shaub was part of a generation of artists who came of age during the Great Depression, and his work often reflects themes of labor and the human connection to nature. In this print, Shaub employs stark contrasts and simplified forms to depict figures in small boats, evoking a sense of quiet solitude and the strenuous nature of maritime work. There's a palpable sense of the everyday lives of these workers, their silhouettes mirroring those who often remain unseen and unacknowledged in broader historical narratives. The artist doesn't romanticize their labor, but instead presents an unadorned view into their world. Through its stark aesthetic and thematic focus, 'Pilot Boats' becomes a meditation on the intersection of labor, identity, and the natural world. The print invites us to consider the histories and identities embedded in these scenes of labor, and to reflect on the individuals who navigate the waters, both literally and metaphorically.