Partial Landscape, Mount Desert Island (recto and verso) 1864

Editor: This is Sanford Robinson Gifford's "Partial Landscape, Mount Desert Island," an undated sketch in graphite. It feels so fleeting and preliminary. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Gifford’s landscapes often sanitize nature, reflecting a desire for manifest destiny. How might this sketch, seemingly unfinished, challenge that narrative of domination? Is it an act of resistance? Editor: Resistance? It’s just a quick sketch! Curator: Perhaps. Or maybe it's a subtle commentary on how we engage with landscapes, resisting complete ownership and encouraging a more partial, respectful relationship with nature. Editor: I never thought of landscape art that way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It’s vital to see how art echoes broader power structures.