Barracks at Fort Pitt (from Cropsey Album) 1820 - 1903

John Mackie Falconer created "Barracks at Fort Pitt" with watercolor and graphite on paper, likely during the mid-19th century. Falconer, who dedicated his life to painting landscapes and city views, here captures a humble domestic scene. This intimate portrayal offers insight into the lives of ordinary people, especially women and possibly enslaved people or servants, who were often excluded from mainstream historical narratives. The depiction of the woman climbing the stairs invites us to consider her daily life, labor, and social standing within the community. The very ordinary subject matter feels radical, decentering traditional narratives of power and instead focusing on the realities of everyday existence. This image, rendered in delicate strokes, quietly challenges the grand narratives of history by drawing attention to the personal and the overlooked. It serves as a poignant reminder of the diverse experiences that constitute a society.