Adobe Buildings, Santa Fe 1917

Editor: So, here we have Robert Henri's "Adobe Buildings, Santa Fe," painted in 1917. It’s a watercolor that captures a Southwestern cityscape. There's a certain stillness about it, almost like a paused moment. What do you see in this piece, looking at it from your perspective? Curator: What I see here, beyond the impressionistic brushstrokes, is a representation of a specific time and place deeply entangled with cultural and historical narratives. Henri, associated with the Ashcan School, was drawn to depicting everyday life, but here, we’re not in urban New York; we’re in Santa Fe, engaging with Indigenous and Hispano cultures. It makes me consider whose "everyday life" is being valued and represented. Who gets to tell that story? Do you notice how the adobe buildings almost blend into the landscape? Editor: Yes, the colours are very muted and natural. Curator: Exactly. That blending speaks to a harmony with the environment but could also obscure the distinctiveness of the culture present. In 1917, what does it mean for an artist from the East Coast to represent this scene? Is it an embrace, or is it an appropriation? How might the perspective of a local artist differ? These are the questions we need to grapple with when considering such works. The lone figure is especially interesting to me. What do you think she represents in this setting? Editor: I hadn't considered it in terms of appropriation. She almost feels like a tiny detail against the vast landscape, emphasizing the scale of the architecture and landscape.. Curator: And consider how often marginalized communities are presented as ‘details’ in broader narratives. So, while we can appreciate Henri's skill, it’s crucial to acknowledge the power dynamics at play and question the dominant perspective being presented. Editor: That makes me see the painting in a totally different way. Thank you, it's a really thought-provoking angle! Curator: Absolutely, engaging with these layered interpretations makes art history far more relevant and nuanced.