Moses Willard and his wife Susannah, Charlestown, New Hampshire, 1756, 1797 1963

Editor: This is "Moses Willard and his wife Susannah, Charlestown, New Hampshire" created in 1756, 1797 by Ann Parker. The figures seem so stoic and symmetrical. What strikes you most about the composition? Curator: The work's formal elements—the rigid symmetry, the almost naive rendering of figures, and the limited palette—speak to a very deliberate aesthetic. Notice how the repetition of forms creates a sense of balance. How do you feel about the starkness in shapes? Editor: I appreciate the balance but I am curious about the symbolism. Curator: Precisely. The austere style and abstracted forms invite consideration of their potential symbolic meanings within the context of early American folk art. It makes one consider ideas of representation itself, don't you agree? Editor: I do. The image's visual language is quite captivating when you start looking at the finer elements.