The Night Watchman 1935

Editor: We’re looking at "The Night Watchman," an etching by Peter Hurd, from 1935. It's all monochrome, very evocative... a nighttime scene, clearly. There’s this lone figure standing in a stark light. I get a sense of quiet… and maybe a little loneliness? What do you see in it? Curator: Loneliness definitely resonates. It’s as if Hurd captured a forgotten corner of America, suspended in time. The strong contrast, the light carving out shapes from the darkness – it’s beautiful, almost dreamlike, don’t you think? That lone watchman – is he protecting something, or just lost in thought? I wonder if it's Hurd himself. Editor: Interesting…you think he is putting himself into this artwork? It looks like he could be guarding the building or thinking about things and overlooking it. Curator: It’s possible. Hurd was deeply connected to the land, to a specific sense of place. It wouldn’t surprise me if this watchman is a stand-in for his own vigil, his own connection to the landscape he loved. What strikes me is how much detail Hurd puts into capturing shadows – it’s so nuanced. Editor: Yeah, the shadows create the picture, it’s true. I also like how realistic, but atmospheric it is, there's a haunting touch. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! And thanks for getting me to consider my own place in it.