Gate at Toledo c. 20th century

Curator: This is Herman Armour Webster's "Gate at Toledo," a beautiful, if undated, etching. It reminds me a little of Piranesi, but softer. Editor: It has such a dreamlike quality, doesn't it? All soft light and distant shapes, like a memory. I can almost smell the dusty stones and feel the heat of the day. Curator: The etching technique lends itself to that atmosphere; look how Webster varies the line weight to create a sense of depth and recession. The architecture frames the figures beautifully, drawing the eye. Editor: Yes, they seem to drift through time, almost ghostlike. It's a very romantic vision of the past, one that pulls you in, as if you're standing right there, breathing the same air. Curator: Precisely. It's a study of light and shadow as much as it is of place, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely! I am left with the sense that I want to explore the city myself. Curator: It's interesting how a simple print can evoke such a strong sense of place and feeling. Editor: It really is a portal, isn't it?