Harfleur c. 19th century

Editor: This is John Cousen's "Harfleur," a print held at the Harvard Art Museums. The figures working along the shore give a sense of everyday life, but there's also this imposing church in the background. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: This image speaks to the relationship between labor and the dominant structures of power, like the church. Cousen captures a scene where the everyday toil of working-class individuals is juxtaposed against the backdrop of religious authority. How do you see that tension playing out in the composition? Editor: It's subtle, but the church does seem to loom over the workers. It makes me think about the social hierarchies present in 19th-century France. Curator: Exactly. Consider the power dynamics at play and the church's influence. Does the print challenge or reinforce the status quo? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. Seeing it as a commentary on power makes me appreciate the print even more. Curator: It's in these visual tensions that we begin to unlock richer dialogues.