Untitled (Scottie and Cow Near Cottage in Hilly Landscape, Ireland) c. 1930

Curator: Up next is a woodcut print from around 1930, its title, rather descriptive, is Untitled (Scottie and Cow Near Cottage in Hilly Landscape, Ireland), created by John B. Flannagan. Editor: It feels very remote and almost… stern? The heavy blacks and whites create a high contrast that emphasizes the rough texture and the isolation. Curator: That's interesting, particularly given that Flannagan, deeply affected by the social and economic hardships of the Depression era, found himself increasingly drawn to rural life, with all its attendant struggles. Editor: Yes, the Scottie dog— a symbol of loyalty and protection, in my understanding— seems stoic in its watch over the land. The cow, however, also looks quite solemn, perhaps representing the hardships you speak of. Curator: Absolutely. The Scottie dog and the cow in the Irish landscape evoke deeply entwined themes of identity and the land, especially when situated within a history marked by both colonial oppression and resilience. The scale of the cottage to the mountain beyond also suggests human existence hemmed in by natural and political forces. Editor: And that mountain looms, an ancient guardian overlooking it all. The choice of the woodcut technique really adds to that sense of an old story being etched into our minds. Curator: Indeed. And although Flannagan’s work wasn’t overtly political, his subjects spoke directly to themes of human perseverance and, perhaps, the sometimes confining spaces assigned to them by history and economics. His connection to the material – wood – as his primary sculptural medium reflects an alignment with a grounded, “earthy” existence. Editor: Now that I look at the starkness of the landscape, I see a sense of the enduring spirit amidst adversity too, a very grounding quality about it. Curator: Yes, so viewing this print allows us to not only witness rural life, but also consider broader questions about community and power structures that affect identity formation. Editor: It does that so powerfully. A potent and evocative combination.