The Gypsy c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Edward Goodall’s “The Gypsy”, a small-scale print, undated and unsigned. It’s a rather bleak little scene, all muted tones. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: The title "The Gypsy" immediately brings up issues of representation. Who gets to tell whose story, and how are marginalized communities depicted? This image reinforces stereotypes of the nomadic "other", doesn't it? A distant scene. A life apart. What assumptions does the artist make about the people in this landscape? Editor: I see what you mean! It does feel a little… detached, doesn’t it? Curator: Exactly. And whose gaze are we adopting as we look at this image? Are we invited into their world, or are we positioned as outsiders looking in? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. It gives me a lot to consider.