Wake on the Ferry c. 20th century

Editor: This is John Sloan’s etching, "Wake on the Ferry." It's hard to put my finger on one thing, but I find the scene so evocative of a moment in time. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Sloan, associated with the Ashcan School, often depicted everyday urban life. This print captures a slice of that, reflecting the social realities of his time. What do you notice about the figures and the setting? Editor: I see a mix of people, some under umbrellas, others seemingly unfazed by the rain. Curator: Precisely. Sloan presents a public space, the ferry, as a microcosm of society, revealing class differences and social interactions. He invites us to consider the narratives of these individuals and their place within the urban fabric. Editor: That makes me think more deeply about how public spaces shape our experiences. Curator: And that is how art functions as a public record.