La Ronte de Louviers c. 20th century

Editor: This is Herman Armour Webster’s etching, "La Route de Louviers." It depicts a road leading towards a hilltop town. The delicate lines create a peaceful, almost nostalgic scene. What do you see in this piece, especially considering its historical context? Curator: Well, looking at this, I'm drawn to the seemingly idyllic scene. But I wonder, what narratives are not shown? Who had access to this "peaceful" road, and who was excluded? How does Webster, as an American artist, portray France, and what colonial gazes might influence his perspective? Editor: That’s a really interesting angle. I hadn’t considered the potential power dynamics at play. Curator: Exactly. It invites us to question whose stories are being told and whose are being erased. Food for thought, right? Editor: Definitely. It gives me a richer appreciation for the artwork and its complexities.