A Ferry Scene on the Susquehanna at Wright's Ferry, near Havre de Grace 1811 - 1816

Pavel Petrovich Svinin made this watercolor painting of a ferry scene using pigments suspended in water. The fluidity and transparency of this medium lends itself well to capturing the atmospheric conditions of the Susquehanna River. Notice how Svinin has used thin washes of color to build up the forms of the landscape, suggesting depth and distance. The light, feathery brushstrokes create a sense of movement in the water and sky, bringing the scene to life. This was a period when watercolor was increasingly used as a means of documentation, particularly for scientific or topographical purposes. It’s a portable medium, perfect for an artist travelling and recording a sense of place, and the communities that live there. But the use of watercolor also speaks to a wider social context, a growing middle class with leisure time, and the financial means to engage with art either as a pastime or an interest. By focusing on the materials and processes of artmaking, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the social and cultural significance of artworks like this one.