The Old Monarch 1949

Curator: Here we have Cooper Nott Lansing’s 1949 print, "The Old Monarch." A rather evocative title, wouldn't you say? Editor: It's...somber. There's a stillness, an almost haunting quality to it, even with all the activity suggested by the structures. I find myself looking for figures, but only seeing buildings. Curator: Buildings which themselves are full of symbolism! Notice the towering grain elevators. These aren't just buildings, they represent the economic and agricultural heartland, particularly after the war when this was created. Think about the cultural weight of abundance and survival reflected in these images. Editor: Yes, and speaking to materiality, these are powerful industrial structures rendered with a seemingly delicate medium – printmaking. The tension between subject and method is intriguing. One wonders what type of ink and paper were available at that time, given wartime constraints, which certainly affects the overall presentation of the work. Curator: Precisely. There's also a deliberate realism in how he's captured the wear and tear. This isn’t a romanticized landscape. Look at the chipped paint, the haphazard construction. This place is functional, well-worn. It embodies the blue-collar American experience. There’s a very direct communication of the value and importance of industrial labor in supporting broader culture. Editor: It really gets at the grit of that experience. And these dilapidated sheds! Are they falling apart, or being actively torn down and rebuilt? They strike me almost like temporary shrines built up with intention, suggesting impermanence amidst a landscape geared toward massive endurance. Curator: They bring us down to ground level. It’s that interplay of grand industrial architecture against small-scale construction—and nature pressing in. The symbolic relationship here speaks volumes, considering the social realities. What elements are preserved? What needs to go? I think Lansing is trying to suggest a negotiation and re-examination of identity. Editor: A really great interpretation. This has made me think a great deal more about all of this now. It shows us there is more than meets the eye. Curator: Absolutely. The images continue to challenge us through many views, while opening opportunities for further consideration and study.