Open full image Pin

Shanties on the Harlem

Charles A. Platt

1882

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Shanties on the Harlem is a 1882 ink by Charles A. Platt, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Charles A. Platt
When & what style?: 1882 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows rickety wooden shacks built right over water, with sagging porches and clotheslines strung between them. The ground is muddy and flooded, and two people stand near the buildings—one alone, one with a child. In the distance, faint outlines of ships and buildings blur into the horizon. The artist used quick, scratchy lines to show how the shacks lean and tilt, almost like they’re about to fall. This style makes the scene feel raw and real, not polished. Want to see more? Check out etching to learn how artists like this create texture with just a needle.