Santa Maria Novella, Florence 

Editor: This etching is called "Santa Maria Novella, Florence" by Muirhead Bone. It's all in shades of grey, mostly depicting the church at night, and I find it quite imposing. What do you see in it? Curator: Well, what strikes me is how Bone positions this famous church. Etchings, drawings, and prints like this played a vital role in shaping the public's perception of architectural landmarks in the early 20th century. The way he uses darkness – almost obscuring parts of the building – makes me wonder: is it celebrating the church or making a comment about the institution? Editor: I hadn't considered that! It’s almost like the darkness represents secrets, or parts of history that are hidden. Curator: Exactly. And think about who had access to art like this back then. These prints often circulated amongst a privileged class, influencing their understanding of places like Florence. How might the political and social climate influence how he chose to depict such an important building? Editor: So you’re saying it's not just about the church itself, but about how people at the time understood it, and who got to shape that understanding? Curator: Precisely! And the visual drama definitely reinforces that the architecture itself can be an assertion of social control. What have you learned by looking closely at Bone’s etching? Editor: I realize there's more to a cityscape than just the buildings themselves. It’s about who gets to see them, and how they're framed for us. Curator: Indeed. And art acts as an agent in the process. It shifts my perspective too, considering its role in both mirroring and molding cultural values.