Polling [recto] c. late 19th century

Curator: Before us is Walter Shirlaw's pencil drawing, "Polling," likely from the late 19th century. It has such a hazy, dreamlike quality. Editor: Oh, instantly I get a wistful vibe. It feels like a memory half-forgotten. That oval composition just wraps everything in a gentle embrace. Curator: Shirlaw's romantic landscape almost entirely obscures any structural presence of a human structure. See how it merges with the natural world? Editor: It's wonderfully unbalanced, isn't it? A kind of organized chaos with a very specific mood. The medium and technique really lend themselves to the humble subject matter: agriculture and manual labour. Curator: It seems Shirlaw’s choices of medium amplify the scene’s historical dimension, giving insight into rural working life in America. One might consider whether such an intimate portrayal reflects a certain Romantic nostalgia for simpler forms of labor and dwelling. Editor: Absolutely, a softer edge of reality is being portrayed here, which, perhaps intentionally, doesn't reflect a modern view on what that existence entails. I appreciate his choice not to overly define details and use frottage that gives it that ephemeral feel. Almost a landscape memory rendered on paper. Curator: This reminds me that many artists were experimenting with accessible drawing practices and incorporating industrial materials during that time, a fact not always visible to us if the artwork’s initial mood is perceived as, to quote you, "dreamy.” Editor: It's funny how a simple sketch can stir such debate. You look at the paper and pencil; I see the longing in those sketchy lines! Curator: Well, regardless of our differing viewpoints, I think this piece ultimately makes us reflect on our connection to nature. Editor: And maybe also question the stories our hearts tell us about those connections, a lovely bit of quiet contemplation for the end of our tour.