Landscape c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have André Giroux's "Landscape" from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small pencil drawing. It feels bleak, almost desolate. What story do you think this landscape tells? Curator: Think about the historical role of landscape art. How often was land depicted as a sign of wealth, power, or national identity? This could be a commentary on those notions, perhaps questioning their validity. Editor: So, a deliberate departure from idealised landscapes? Curator: Precisely. This work might be seen as reflecting the social or political turmoil of the time, or even questioning the very notion of ownership and control over the land. Does that shift your perspective? Editor: Absolutely, I had not considered that viewpoint. It adds layers of meaning. Curator: It makes one consider the power dynamics inherent in land ownership.