Saint Lô c. 19th century

Editor: This is Armand Théophile Cassagne's "Saint Lô," a print that captures a quiet town scene. It feels so picturesque, almost like a stage set. What story do you think this artwork tells? Curator: I see a reflection of power dynamics, Editor. The towering church dominates, a symbol of religious authority over the lives of the people clustered in the lower, domestic spaces. How might the people in this image have experienced that power? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. I was focused on the pretty buildings! Curator: Art often masks power structures within beauty. Consider how this idyllic image may sanitize a more complex social reality for its intended audience. Editor: I see what you mean. I'll definitely look at landscapes differently now. Curator: That’s the first step, Editor. Asking "who benefits?" is key.