Landscape, Monte Genaro 1869

Curator: John Singer Sargent created "Landscape, Monte Genaro," a watercolor study now at the Harvard Art Museums. It captures a misty Italian vista. Editor: It feels so muted, almost dreamlike. The washes of color create a sense of distance, of a world far removed from us. Curator: Sargent's landscape paintings were often created "en plein air", capturing a direct, unfiltered experience of place, which was very radical at the time. Editor: Did the landscape inform Sargent's understanding of identity? How did the very European ideals of picturesque inform his perception of race and class? Curator: The site was likely chosen for its cultural and aesthetic associations. Think of how travel, and this specific location, signified status and access during this period. Editor: This little piece opens up a surprisingly large space for contemplating the politics of seeing and being seen. Curator: It's a reminder that even the most serene landscapes can hold complex histories and social meanings. Editor: Absolutely. Looking at it in that light enriches the experience.