East Hampton, Long Island 1879

Andrew Fisher Bunner created "East Hampton, Long Island," a pen and ink drawing, at the end of the 19th century. Bunner, part of the American etching revival, captured the Long Island landscape, an area that was undergoing significant transformation due to urbanization and the rise of leisure culture. At first glance, it's a serene landscape, however, think about the cultural moment: rapid industrialization and an increasing interest in nature as a retreat from urban life. How might this have influenced the artist's gaze? Bunner’s detailed rendering invites us to consider our relationship with the environment and the mythologies of rural life. It prompts a conversation about the changing American landscape and its impact on identity. Consider the emotional aspect of landscape art – the longing for simpler times, the escape from the pressures of modern life. This drawing offers a moment to reflect on our own connections to places and how they shape our understanding of self and society.