Landscape with Buildings c. 19th century

Editor: This is "Landscape with Buildings" by Marcelle Baudey, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It looks like a simple sketch, very peaceful, with a bridge and buildings. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It whispers of a fleeting moment, doesn't it? The subtle washes suggest a memory, almost like a dream. Baudey’s focus on architectural detail, combined with the hazy atmosphere, is intriguing. Do you get a sense of timelessness? Editor: I do. It could be any time, really. So, what's the story behind this dreamscape? Curator: Perhaps it's less about a specific story and more about a feeling. Baudey invites us to ponder the relationship between permanence and transience. It’s a dance between the solid structures and the ever-changing light. What do you make of that? Editor: That's beautiful, I'm left wondering what stories those buildings could tell. Curator: Exactly! And that, my dear, is where the magic lies.