The Landing of Columbus c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have "The Landing of Columbus," an engraving by Edward Goodall, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's quite small, almost like a vignette on the page. Editor: It feels incredibly distant, almost a dreamlike representation. The figures are so minute, their individuality erased by the scale of the event. Curator: Indeed, and that's partly the point. Consider the visual narrative at play here. It's not about individual heroism, but the grand sweep of "discovery," reinforcing the colonial narrative of that moment. Editor: But doesn't that erasure also serve to dehumanize the indigenous population? They're relegated to the backdrop, passive recipients of this historical moment. It's a loaded image in its silence. Curator: Absolutely. It's a prime example of how art perpetuates power structures. Think of the institutional support this imagery received, shaping public perception and legitimizing colonization. Editor: Looking at it now, it's a stark reminder of how art can normalize narratives that demand critical examination. Curator: Precisely. It invites us to challenge its premises.