Sketches of Sailboats (from Sketchbook X) 1885

William Trost Richards made these graphite "Sketches of Sailboats" on paper sometime during his career. Richards, working in the late 19th century, found himself amidst both the aftershocks of the Industrial Revolution and a burgeoning interest in leisure and the natural world. These sketches offer a peek into the recreational pursuits of the upper classes. While sailboats might seem innocuous, they are also emblems of privilege, hinting at the economic disparities of the time. Who had the luxury to leisurely sail, and who was laboring? The sailboats lack specificity, and the lack of detail invites us to reflect on the relationship between leisure, labor, and the romanticized image of the sea. These sketches evoke a sense of longing and perhaps even a critique of the social structures that defined who had access to such experiences.