Figure I – Derby Light looking towards Marblehead in a morning fog, Salem, MA./ (c) DE Wolf 2020.

They other morning Salem Harbor was filled with fog and I took the image of Figure 1 of the Derby Light. The quality of the scene reminded me of the recent exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum of John Thomson’s stunning nineteenth century carbon prints of China. It is hard to remember when the museum, one of Salem’s gems, was still open. I am happy to report that I have seen signs that following Governor Baker’s plan it will reopen soon, see Figure 2. In particular is the saturation of the sky caused by the ultraviolet sensitivity of the wet collodion emulsions. Such a tour d’force to produce. And you will note that often Thomson would paint in the subtle hint of clouds. Perhaps this image of the light house belies the fundamental fogginess of the state of our nation.Although in some sense things seem crystal clear.  

Figure 2 – Signs of reopening at the Peabody Essex Museum after the first COVID wave, June 2020. (c) DE Wolf 2020.