Fowey Ferry 1897

Editor: This is Joseph Pennell's "Fowey Ferry." I find the sketch-like quality of the etching really charming. What kind of symbols and imagery stand out to you? Curator: Notice how the figures, though small, are clustered near the water's edge. Water often symbolizes the unconscious, or a threshold. Do you think they're embarking on a journey, both literally and figuratively? Editor: That's interesting! So, the water could represent more than just a body of water? Curator: Exactly. It might suggest a transition, a step into the unknown, reflected in the communal act of boarding. Think about how the ferry itself becomes a vessel between states of being. Editor: I see now. It adds a whole new layer to the image. Curator: Yes, Pennell captures a moment laden with potential and transformation.