An Old Oak c. 19th century

Editor: This is Edward Goodall’s "An Old Oak," currently at the Harvard Art Museums. It's so delicate. What strikes me is the labor involved in creating such detail in such a small format. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the social context: landscapes like this were increasingly marketable due to the rise of industrialization and urbanization. This print becomes a commodity, an image of an idealized, perhaps even fabricated, natural world consumed by a growing middle class. It speaks to the changing relationship between labor, land, and leisure. Editor: That’s fascinating! I hadn't considered its consumption aspect. Thanks for sharing your insight. Curator: My pleasure. It's crucial to look beyond the surface and consider the economic forces shaping even the most seemingly bucolic scenes.