The Cliff Dwellers of New York 1881

Mary Nimmo Moran created "The Cliff Dwellers of New York" using etching, a printmaking technique. She likely coated a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then drew her image into the coating, exposing the metal. The plate was then submerged in acid, which bit into the exposed lines. This process was repeated to create the subtle tonal gradations we see here. The image is all about contrasts. Moran used a traditional, highly skilled technique to depict a very modern subject: the urban landscape and its inhabitants. The crumbling wooden shacks perched precariously on rocky outcrops are juxtaposed with the rising apartment blocks in the background. This contrast highlights the stark inequalities of urban life, where extreme poverty and wealth coexist. The labor-intensive etching process mirrors the hard work of the ‘cliff dwellers’ themselves. Moran’s choice of this medium elevates their struggle, placing it within a broader artistic and social context. It compels us to consider the material conditions of life and labor in a rapidly changing city.