A Passing Squall 1896

Curator: This gelatin-silver print, “A Passing Squall,” was created in 1896 by Charles E. Bolles. It's held here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: Oh, it’s wonderfully moody! Like a grayscale dream where the clouds are trying to swallow the sky and the little boat is just a fragile whisper on the water. It's all so... perfectly ominous. Curator: It’s interesting you pick up on the mood. The late 19th century witnessed the rise of pictorialism in photography, where artists aimed for atmospheric effects, much like paintings. Think about how photography, then, was vying for artistic recognition. Editor: Recognition earned, I say. The composition just hits a nerve. The dark, turbulent clouds contrast so strikingly with the relatively calm water and the distant hint of sunlight piercing through, offering hope, maybe. Or perhaps just temporary relief? Curator: That tension, I think, embodies the ethos of maritime imagery. Consider the role the sea played, both romantically and economically, for American identity during this period. Shipping lanes, fishing rights… Photography documented and shaped the relationship with our maritime frontiers. Editor: Right, and isn't it fascinating how even this tiny boat is kind of facing off against such immense meteorological forces? Like humans wrestling with fate, one tiny sail at a time! You can almost hear the wind. Curator: Indeed, it visualizes power dynamics at a crucial historical juncture. This period saw dramatic technological advancements alongside major debates about the natural environment. And black and white was often preferred for the depth and seriousness it brought to an image. Editor: This image does make you ponder bigger themes. Curator: Absolutely, and by depicting everyday moments infused with symbolic depth, Bolles invites us to reflect on photography’s role in capturing not just a scene, but a moment of collective awareness about our place in the world. Editor: Beautifully said! It makes you wonder about other sailors on other days. Or anyone else out there facing down the storm!