Saint Ouen c. 20th century

Curator: Herman Armour Webster's "Saint Ouen" pulls you into a quiet street scene, doesn't it? Editor: It does. It feels like a fleeting glimpse, sketched with a nervous energy—the lines are so fine, etching away at the plate, that it seems on the verge of disappearing. Curator: Webster, who lived from 1878 to 1970, clearly had a fondness for architectural studies; you can see the cathedral looming in the distance. It makes me feel so small. Editor: It's fascinating how the density of the etching creates a sense of depth. I wonder about the biting process, the acids used, and the labor involved in its creation. Curator: I love how the buildings on either side frame the cathedral, almost as if they're trying to contain its grandeur. Maybe the artist was making a comment on how the mundane can be elevated by the divine. Editor: Or perhaps he was just interested in the contrast of textures: stone versus timber, the regular versus the irregular. It certainly invites contemplation about the materiality of the city itself. Curator: It does, and it’s left me feeling like I should visit the place! Editor: Yes, a visit would give a deeper sense of place and materials.