Hell’s Crossing

1933

Black-and-white lithograph

12” x 15 ½” plate

This lithograph shows life on the Eastern Shore almost one hundred years ago. Many people of color lived and gathered on this street in St. Michaels. Notice the neatly kept homes and neighborly attitude of the subjects in the lithograph. As with most of the streets of St. Michaels at that time, there is an unpaved lane weaving through their neighborhood. The people depicted here are part of an “underrepresented” community. This means that communities of color such as this one got very little attention and reward for their strength and hard work. This snapshot into that world is what makes this piece of art so unique and important.