Hubert Morley (1888–1951) was an American printmaker and commercial artist whose career closely mirrored the trajectory of the 'Etching Revival' in the early 20th century. Born in Wisconsin, he moved to Illinois to study at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Academy of Fine Arts, firmly embedding himself in what would become the epicenter of Midwestern graphic arts. Morley's commercial background provided him with a disciplined, illustrative command of line, which he translated into fine art printmaking through intaglio processes like etching and drypoint. He was highly skilled at using acid bite times to create deep atmospheric perspective, a technique critical for rendering the hazy distances of his regionalist landscapes. Morley was a prominent member of the Chicago Society of Etchers, an organization pivotal in democratizing art ownership during the Great Depression. The zenith of his critical acclaim arrived in 1935 when his masterpiece etching, 'Track Crew', won the prestigious Chicago Society of Etchers Prize at the Third International Exhibition of Etching and Engraving. Today, his legacy is preserved in major institutions, with his etchings held in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) and the Art Institute of Chicago.

The valuation of 'The Canal' is heavily informed by the macroeconomic lifecycle of the Etching Revival market. During the 1920s and 30s, original etchings were highly sought after, but the market for mid-tier black-and-white graphic art collapsed post-WWII and has remained relatively soft. While Morley’s color WPA/WWII lithographic posters enjoy strong crossover appeal with militaria and historical collectors (evidenced by Swann Auction Galleries selling a 'Women's Land Army' poster for $625 in 2024), his traditional etchings are primarily collected by niche regionalists. Comparable sales dictate a low-to-moderate fair market value for Morley's single print works. Historical auction records for single signed etchings like 'A Question of Price' and 'Coquette' place hammer prices securely in the $90 to $175 range. However, more recent data indicates market fatigue; an etching titled 'Open Air Concert' failed to sell against a $100-$200 estimate in 2023, and a bulk lot of ten Morley etchings liquidated for just $60 in 2025. Given this landscape, an individual landscape or waterway etching by Morley will realistically hammer between $50 and $150, heavily dependent on condition, framing, and regional bidding interest.