Sailboats 19th-20th century

Curator: This etching is titled "Sailboats" by Gurdon Saltonstall Howe, now held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It has a ghostly, almost dreamlike quality to it. You can almost feel the sea spray on your face. Curator: Howe was a part of a wave of artists interested in depicting leisure and the rise of sailing as a popular pastime for the wealthy. Editor: Look at the fine lines he used to suggest the texture of the sails and the movement of the water. Consider the labor involved in creating the copper plate and printing multiple impressions. Curator: Yes, and these scenes were often used to promote a certain image of prosperity and maritime prowess, influencing public perception. Editor: It makes you appreciate how much skill and effort goes into capturing such fleeting moments using traditional methods. Curator: Indeed, these glimpses offer insights into the values and aspirations of the time. Editor: The piece feels less like a simple picture and more a record of Howe's process, and the work of the people sailing those boats.