Breaker at Dickson, Del. & Hudson Canal Co. c. 1863 - 1865

This is a photograph of the Breaker at Dickson, Del. & Hudson Canal Co., taken by Thomas H. Johnson sometime in the late 19th century. Johnson's work presents a vista of industrial activity. The photographic process itself is a key element of the image. The sepia tones, the sharp focus on the industrial architecture, and the documentary style speak to the values of the time. Photography was then becoming a means of capturing the rapidly changing world, of which industrialization was a key aspect. The image allows us to consider the immense labor involved in coal production. The ‘breaker’ was a site where coal was processed, often by young boys in dangerous conditions. The photograph thus invites reflection on labor, class, and the human cost of industry. By looking at it, we can challenge the traditional separation of art from everyday life, and recognize the social and political dimensions inherent in all forms of making.