Old Harvard Yard (Harvard, Hollis, Stoughton and Holworthy Halls) 1861 - 1866

Curator: This is George Kendall Warren's photograph, titled "Old Harvard Yard (Harvard, Hollis, Stoughton and Holworthy Halls)." Editor: It's quite somber, isn't it? The stark trees really dominate the scene, almost obscuring the buildings. Curator: It's a portrait of institutional space, framing Harvard's architecture through the lens of its natural environment. The framing itself invites us to consider its position in history. Editor: And the technical process itself, the photographic print, involved specific materials, labor, and a certain level of consumption to produce this image. This material reality is key. Curator: Absolutely, and the composition makes you reflect on the weight and prestige associated with these buildings, which represent centers of power. Editor: Yes, but I also see the materials used to construct the buildings and the photographic print—a reminder of the tangible processes and resources behind institutional imagery. Curator: Seeing it in this light gives me a renewed perspective on how Harvard chooses to represent itself in a historical context. Editor: For me, it highlights the physicality of knowledge production. It's been very insightful.