78 Cross Street, Boston, Massachusetts 1879 - 1880

John Mackie Falconer made this etching of 78 Cross Street, Boston, Massachusetts, in 1889. Here we see a humble street corner, the kind that doesn’t usually get memorialized in art. But Falconer was interested in capturing the everyday realities of a rapidly changing urban landscape. The image shows the architectural style and commercial activity characteristic of late 19th-century Boston, reflected in the modest building with its shopfront signage. It may be worth considering the economic conditions and social dynamics of the neighborhood. Were there particular waves of immigration into this area? What class of people patronized McLaughlin the carpet maker? Perhaps city directories and census records could help us understand the context of this image. It's through the work of historians that we can interpret how the artist saw this scene, and understand the broader cultural significance of such an image. Art like this serves as a record of a specific time and place, reflecting the aspirations and realities of its society.