Plattekill Clove 1851

Curator: Sanford Robinson Gifford, born in 1823, captured this sketch, titled "Plattekill Clove," now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s rendered in pencil on paper, measuring about 22 by 14 centimeters. Editor: It feels unfinished, like a thought captured quickly. The light is interesting—it's all about suggestion. Curator: Indeed. Gifford was deeply involved in the Hudson River School. Consider the industrial revolution's impact during his time; landscape became a commodity, consumed via tourism and art. Editor: I can almost hear the rushing water, feel the cool dampness of the clove. It's more than just a record; there’s a palpable sense of wonder. Curator: Think about the materiality of the pencil, mass-produced and readily available, enabling artists like Gifford to capture these scenes efficiently for later development into large-scale paintings. Editor: Perhaps it's the lack of polish, but it feels raw and personal. Curator: A fascinating insight into both landscape and the means of its production and dissemination in the 19th century. Editor: Definitely leaves you pondering the soul of a place and how we try to capture it.