Street Scene with Two Fishwives 

Edwin Austin Abbey created this watercolor painting, Street Scene with Two Fishwives, sometime around the turn of the twentieth century. The image presents a glimpse into the daily life of working women, likely in a European coastal town. We can see this through their traditional dress and implied occupation. The loose brushwork and muted tones evoke a sense of realism. But the composition is carefully arranged, and the scene is framed to offer a glimpse into a specific social context. Abbey, an American expatriate, often depicted historical or literary subjects. But here, he turns his eye to contemporary life. Was he perhaps inspired by the social realist movements gaining traction at the time? Understanding this artwork requires considering both the artistic conventions of the period and the social realities it represents. Further research into Abbey's biography, the artistic trends of the time, and the history of fishing communities could shed more light on the painting’s meaning. Art is not created in a vacuum, but is deeply rooted in social and institutional contexts.