Untitled (River Scene with Boat) 1891

This is Charles A. Platt’s drypoint etching, “Untitled (River Scene with Boat).” Look at how Platt orchestrates a landscape out of muted tones and delicate lines. The composition is structured horizontally, with a foreground of textured land meeting the tranquil river, punctuated by a boat. Platt's choice of the drypoint technique is critical here. Unlike etching, drypoint involves directly scratching into the metal plate, leaving burrs of metal that catch ink, resulting in soft, velvety lines. We can see this in the reflections in the water. This gives the scene a hazy, dreamlike quality, evoking a sense of serene contemplation. The etching, with its emphasis on tonal nuances and atmospheric effects, aligns with the broader aesthetic concerns of the late 19th century. It moves away from academic precision to capture a more subjective, sensory experience of the landscape. Notice how the artist uses line and tone to evoke a feeling and mood. This piece invites us to consider how art can function as a medium for personal and emotional expression.