Emard Salmon Cannery 1915

Sydney Laurence painted ‘Emard Salmon Cannery’ using oil on canvas, capturing a seemingly tranquil scene in Alaska. Yet, the rosy, meandering river leads the eye not to the wild, open sea, but to the industrial cannery. Here, we witness a modern inversion of classical symbolism. Rivers, since ancient times, have represented life and purification, think of the Nile, the Ganges, or even the River Styx. However, in Laurence's depiction, the river flows towards a place of labor. It mirrors our collective memory, subconsciously associating the river with sustenance, yet it subtly introduces the modern twist of industry as a provider. It's a fascinating metamorphosis. The life-giving river, now a salmon run, feeds not just bodies but also commerce. The sunset infuses the scene with a sense of closure, a day’s end, but also perhaps an end of an era. This image becomes a poignant reflection on the cyclical nature of symbols. It highlights how they resurface in different contexts, acquiring new layers of meaning as culture evolves.