A Corner of Portland 1882

Charles Adams Platt made this etching, A Corner of Portland, sometime near the turn of the century. It depicts a humble street in Portland, Maine, a town that was then transitioning from its maritime past to a more industrial future. The image shows the texture of everyday life, not the grand monuments of civic pride. Platt’s artistic vision was attuned to the subtle social dynamics of this changing urban landscape. We see a world of modest homes, unpaved streets, and working-class figures going about their daily routines. Platt was a member of the New York Etching Club. This was an organisation that played a role in defining etching as a uniquely American art form. Platt's work invites us to consider the social and economic forces shaping American cities at the time. To better understand this image, we might consult local histories, census records, and period photographs, all of which can provide insight into the lived experience of Portland residents.