Plate - Waterworks, Philadelphia c. 1936

This black and white plate by Helmut Hiatt depicts Waterworks, Philadelphia. Imagine the artist carefully painting this scene onto the plate, layering fine details to capture the essence of the monument. I wonder what Hiatt was thinking as they rendered the precise architecture? Perhaps reflecting on the relationship between industry and nature, the way human endeavors reshape the environment around us. The Waterworks itself stands as a testament to human ingenuity, a structure built to harness the power of water for the benefit of the city. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving rhythmically, creating those miniature leaves, or maybe losing themselves in the wagon wheels. I think about this plate as a kind of dialogue, a conversation between artist and subject, maker and material. Each detail carefully considered, each stroke contributing to the overall narrative. It reminds me how artists are always building on each other’s work, engaging in a constant exchange of ideas across time. Each mark feels imbued with intention, inviting us to pause, reflect, and find our own meaning within its delicate form.