Canal Boats and Tugs 1889

Curator: Looking at this print, "Canal Boats and Tugs" by Charles Adams Platt, it gives me a sense of industry, of things being moved and made. Editor: It's funny you say that. The first thing I notice is how subdued it is, even with the churning water and the smoke rising. It feels more like a memory than a moment. Curator: I find it amazing how much texture Platt gets out of what I assume is an etching. The way he renders the water, it’s almost palpable, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely, and that's likely because of the social reality of the tugboats themselves, right? He's showing us the backbone of an industrial economy, the sheer labor of logistics. Curator: I never thought of that. I was too busy feeling the grimy romance of it all. But you're right, it's about more than just aesthetics. Editor: Exactly! The lines of this etching tell a story of work and material exchange, a history etched into the metal plate. Curator: Well, I'll never look at a tugboat the same way again. Editor: Me neither. It is quite beautiful to consider it, as well, so I understand your initial reaction, too.