The Old Market, Cleveland

By the time he created this work, Frank Wilcox had visited Europe twice and likely observed similarities between its markets and Cleveland’s own. The historical feel was a strength for attracting immigrants to the city, as it reminded European emigrants of their homelands. The dappled light and airy interior of the market pictured here present Cleveland as a small, homey town rather than the industrial center that it was becoming. The favorable impression of the market may have been an idealization: aside from the new West Side Market, most “old” markets in Cleveland were notoriously crowded and lacked upkeep.