Low Tide 1887

Charles Adams Platt created the print "Low Tide" using etching. Platt, who lived from 1861 to 1933, was an American artist who experienced the social and cultural shifts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "Low Tide" situates us in a maritime landscape, where boats rest on the exposed seabed during low tide. Platt's choice to depict this scene through the technique of etching reflects a desire to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow. The delicate lines and tonal variations evoke a sense of stillness and quietude. But it’s also important to consider the social implications of such imagery: were these fishing boats? And if so, what class of people depended on their bounty? Does this image romanticize a working-class existence, or does it offer a glimpse into a life dependent on the rhythms of nature? Platt invites us to contemplate our relationship with the natural world.