Untitled (Landscape) c. 1915

Esther Mabel Crawford created this landscape, a small woodblock print, sometime in the early 20th century. Note how the mirroring of the landscape in the water creates a tranquil yet unsettling doubling effect. Reflections in water are a motif spanning centuries. We see Narcissus gazing at his reflection in Ovid's *Metamorphoses*, captivated by an image that leads to his demise. Here, Crawford uses the reflection to evoke a sense of introspection, almost inviting the viewer to search for hidden meanings in the mirrored image. The reflections are imperfect, distorted, much like how our memories and perceptions are altered over time. This visual doubling taps into our subconscious fascination with the self and its shadow. The water, then, acts as a liminal space, a threshold between reality and the unconscious. It’s a compelling reminder of how art can serve as a mirror, reflecting our deepest fears, desires, and yearnings back at us.