Breydon Smelters 1887

"Breydon Smelters" is a photogravure by Peter Henry Emerson, a British photographer who pioneered the use of naturalism in photography. Captured in 1887, the image depicts a solitary fisherman mending his net on the muddy shore of the Breydon Water in England. Emerson’s photogravure style, seen here in the detailed depiction of the fisherman and his surroundings, emphasizes the importance of light and shadow in conveying the mood of the scene. The Art Institute of Chicago houses this evocative piece, which continues to captivate viewers with its realistic portrayal of everyday life.