Trees 19th-20th century

Curator: This is Alexander Shilling's "Trees," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. There's no specific date assigned, but Shilling lived from 1859 to 1937. Editor: It feels like a memory, doesn’t it? The trees are almost like ghosts lining a path I've walked a hundred times in a dream. Curator: The monochromatic palette really contributes to that sense of nostalgia, I think. And the density of marks in the foreground pulls the viewer right into that winding path. Editor: Exactly. It’s not just about showing trees, it's about feeling the stillness before a storm or that golden light just after one. It's more than just trees, wouldn’t you say? Curator: I'd agree. Shilling manages to imbue this seemingly simple landscape with a rich emotional depth. Editor: It’s funny how a simple image can speak to so much, isn't it? Curator: It is. Seeing it this way gives the piece a new dimension for me.