Street of the Three Kings c. 20th century

Curator: Herman Armour Webster created this intriguing print, titled "Street of the Three Kings." Editor: It strikes me as a stage, a meticulously arranged set—the figures almost props against the backdrop of those sharply angled roofs. Curator: Webster, active in the early 20th century, was profoundly influenced by the etching revival movement, capturing European urban scenes with remarkable detail. Editor: And look at the linear precision—the cross-hatching gives depth, yet flattens the scene, echoing a sense of constructed reality. It's a fascinating tension. Curator: The "street" is, of course, not merely a place; it's a theater where social roles play out. His choices highlight the city's role in shaping identity and community. Editor: Yes, I see that. The light, or absence of it, guides us, and the lack of color allows us to study the architecture as it towers over the subjects. Curator: Indeed, the careful staging invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in urban planning. Editor: Well, I’m captured by how the artist made this city feel so vital. Curator: And I how he revealed the structures upholding social life.