The Kalinkin Bridge, Which Is Haunted at Night 1918

Editor: This is Walter Gramatté’s “The Kalinkin Bridge, Which Is Haunted at Night”. I’m really struck by the contrast between the bright lights and heavy darkness in the print. What does this artwork suggest to you? Curator: Well, the title immediately positions the bridge not just as a physical structure, but as a site of cultural narrative and perhaps even fear. What kind of social anxieties might the "haunting" represent? Editor: That’s interesting, I hadn't considered it that way. Maybe it reflects a fear of the unknown or a unease about rapid social change? Curator: Exactly. The bridge, often a symbol of connection, is here disrupted by darkness, suggesting social fragmentation. Gramatté lived through immense upheaval, which undoubtedly shaped his perspective. Editor: I see how that context adds layers to the work. I’ll definitely remember that when thinking about other art from this period. Curator: And, likewise, I'll keep an eye out for how physical structures play a role in the artist's broader socio-political context!