Florence c. 19th century

Editor: This is Edward Goodall's print, "Florence," from the Harvard Art Museums. It's a lovely cityscape, almost idyllic. How do you interpret this view of Florence? Curator: It’s interesting to consider how this image participates in the romanticized view of Florence that was popular among British audiences. How does the artist use the landscape and the figures in the foreground to create a particular vision? Editor: It does feel very staged, almost like a theatre set. The people are arranged for our benefit. Curator: Exactly. And the choice of Florence, a city laden with cultural and historical significance, further enhances the print's appeal to a specific, educated, and likely affluent, audience. Editor: So, it's not just a pretty picture, but also a commentary on who gets to appreciate it? Curator: Precisely. The image and its reception are intertwined with the politics of cultural tourism and artistic consumption. Editor: I never thought of it that way. Thanks!