[Street scene, Lübeck] c. 1940s - 1950s

Curator: This is "Street scene, Lübeck," attributed to Laurence Feininger, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. It's a small work, roughly 3 by 3.5 centimeters. Editor: My first impression is stark beauty. The buildings' facades are so detailed; it feels both imposing and incredibly intimate, like a hidden world. Curator: Indeed. It’s a fascinating glimpse into urban life, reflecting architectural trends and social structures. Feininger's choice of subject highlights the everyday, yet elevates it. Editor: I get this sense of timelessness, almost ghostly. The absence of people intensifies the focus on the architecture, like a stage set for a play that never begins. Curator: And that very stillness invites our own narrative. It asks us to consider how these buildings have stood witness to history, to the lives lived within them. The politics inherent in urban planning and the experience of the populace. Editor: It's amazing how much can be conveyed in such a small frame. I'm leaving with a strange sense of peace, a curiosity to wander those streets myself, even though I know I never can. Curator: A powerful reminder that art transports us, challenges us, and enriches our understanding of the world, past and present.