Green Shutter c. 1935

Editor: Alice Standish Buell's etching, "Green Shutter," made around 1935, depicts a New Orleans courtyard. It's very atmospheric, almost a bit mysterious with the dark archway contrasting against the brighter courtyard beyond. What do you see in this piece, especially with regard to its imagery? Curator: The image resonates deeply with layers of symbolic weight. The archway itself can represent a threshold, a transition from the known to the unknown, the mundane to a hidden inner world. Does that resonate with you at all? Editor: Yes, definitely, the movement from dark to light! It reminds me of the Romantic idea of the sublime. Curator: Precisely! And notice how the gate acts as both a barrier and an invitation. The shadows pool, obscuring details while simultaneously hinting at unseen stories. In art, gates often symbolize opportunity and potential paths. In that time period, especially with the Depression, what kind of feeling could this conjure for people, I wonder? Editor: I guess it could suggest both hope and restriction. What about the figure in the doorway – I almost missed them at first! Curator: A brilliant observation. The figure is deliberately placed within shadow, partially hidden. Figures in doorways or thresholds are very psychologically interesting and often have spiritual and psychological connotations - boundaries, identity and what lies in the shadows. Do you notice a parallel to the overall composition of the etching itself? Editor: You mean how both the figure and courtyard are framed? That’s interesting. I hadn't thought of it that way. Curator: These careful artistic choices contribute to an exploration of visual themes that continue to carry immense emotional meaning even today. Editor: I see what you mean. Thanks, I feel I am starting to better appreciate not just the etching's beauty, but its symbolic depth as well. Curator: Agreed, understanding symbols lets us explore new cultural meaning with art, I'm glad that I was able to shed some light on Alice Standish Buell's work.