Landscape c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have "Landscape," a drawing by F. Torond, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels like a memory, or a half-remembered dream. That sepia tone really softens everything. Curator: The artist employs a network of fine lines to delineate forms and imbue the scene with a sense of depth. Consider the cultural context of landscape art. Editor: I get the feeling the two figures sitting in the corner aren't really experiencing nature—they look like they've just stumbled in from a play, or a religious tableau. Curator: Landscapes shifted in artistic importance, becoming statements of national identity, reflecting philosophical ideas about humanity's relationship with nature. Editor: It's like the stage scenery of the soul. Makes you wonder about the stories hidden in plain sight all around us, doesn't it? Curator: Indeed, and I find it interesting to consider how the rise of landscape corresponds with changing notions of land ownership. Editor: Well, it certainly provides a lot to consider and dream about!