The Ferry c. 20th century

"The Ferry" is a photogravure by American photographer Mary Devens, dating back to the 20th century. Devens, who was active between 1857 and 1920, captured a moment of quietude as a ferryman navigates a boat across a water channel. The image's muted tones and focus on the figure in the boat create a sense of solitude and introspection. Devens’ work is known for its sensitive portrayal of everyday life, often focusing on landscapes and people in their natural environments. The photogravure process, which Devens employed here, involved etching a copper plate and then printing with ink, resulting in a unique, finely detailed, and textured image.