Lahnstein c. 19th century

Curator: This is Samuel Prout’s sketch titled Lahnstein, currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Prout, who lived from 1783 to 1852, beautifully captures the town's architecture. Editor: It certainly has a delicate feel, almost dreamlike, with that soft pencil work emphasizing the buildings' age. Curator: Note the interplay of light and shadow, structuring the composition. The strategic use of hatching defines the forms. Editor: I'm drawn to the detail on the timber framing. You can see the hand of the craftsperson in every beam and joint. What kind of labor went into building this place? Curator: Precisely! It’s through these structural elements that Prout conveys the essence of Lahnstein. The building becomes a text to be read. Editor: It also invites us to consider the availability and type of materials used. The wood, the stone, the labor—all speak to the town's history. Curator: Indeed. Prout’s skillful manipulation of form and line presents a compelling narrative. Editor: This makes you consider the lives lived within those walls, as well as the artisan's labor that built them.