Landscape c. 20th century

Editor: This is Clare Leighton’s "Landscape," a black and white print in the Harvard Art Museums’ collection. The texture is what strikes me first. What can you tell us about this work? Curator: Well, consider the labor inherent in wood engraving. Each line painstakingly carved, shaping our perception of the landscape and the figures within it. Editor: So, the process is integral to its meaning? Curator: Absolutely. Look at the material reality—the wood, the tools, the physical effort. Leighton elevates labor, both hers and that of the figures depicted. Editor: That reframes my understanding completely! Curator: The stark contrast and textured surfaces become a testament to the relationship between human effort and the land. It gives us a lot to think about.