The artwork titled “The Steamer Puritan, part of the ‘old’ Fall River Line” by Currier and Ives, created in 1889, is a fine example of the Romanticism art movement and falls within the marina genre.
In this depiction, the artwork presents a grand steamer ship, named Puritan, sailing on turbulent waters under a partly cloudy sky. The ship exhibits meticulous detail, with visible decks, smoke stacks emitting dark smokestack plumes, and numerous flags flapping in the wind. Inscribed on the side of the ship is the name “Puritan” and “Fall River Line”, underscoring its association with the noted steamboat service. The composition captures the magnificence and power of the steamer amid nature’s dynamic elements, consistent with Romanticism’s celebration of human achievement and natural beauty. The churning greenish-gray waves lend a sense of movement and vitality, while the serene sky adds contrast and balance to the vibrant scene.