A Stretcher Party, Champagne, 28 September 1914 c. 1917

Curator: This is "A Stretcher Party, Champagne, 28 September 1914," a print by Gerald Pryse. It's held in the Tate Collections. Editor: It has such a somber, ethereal quality. The tonal range is so narrow, lending a ghostly feel. Curator: Absolutely. Pryse captures the Great War's early days. The stretcher party itself, moving across the landscape, becomes an emblem of aid and sacrifice in the face of conflict. Editor: The figures fade into this oppressive gloom. And see how the lantern light struggles against the dark forms of the trees; the composition itself is a visual metaphor for the struggle between life and death. Curator: It suggests the universality of suffering and resilience. These men become archetypes, echoing in our collective memory, regardless of their specific identities. Editor: It's a starkly beautiful piece, formally exquisite yet emotionally crushing. The artist leaves us to contemplate the nature of loss.