Landscape c. 18th century

Editor: This is Francesco del Pedro's "Landscape," from an unknown date, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It has such a peaceful quality. I'm curious, what stands out to you in this piece? Curator: For me, this landscape speaks volumes about the romanticized view of rural life often presented during periods of social and political upheaval. Consider the figures depicted: who are they? What labor is being shown, and what is being omitted? Does it speak to a yearning for a simpler time, or perhaps mask underlying inequalities? Editor: That's a great point, I had not considered the missing context. Curator: Exactly! By thinking about what is *not* shown, we can uncover hidden narratives about labor, class, and the selective representation of reality. Editor: Thank you, I'll never look at a landscape the same way again. Curator: And that's the beauty of art history, isn't it? It challenges us to question everything.