Fort Point, San Francisco c. 1870s

Editor: Here we have Isaiah West Taber's "Fort Point, San Francisco," a sepia-toned photograph. It feels so serene, almost like a historical record frozen in time. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This image isn't just about aesthetics; it's a loaded portrayal of Manifest Destiny and westward expansion. Consider the military architecture of Fort Point alongside the promise of maritime traffic. Whose stories are centered, and whose are erased in this vision of progress? Editor: So, it's not just a landscape, but a statement about power? Curator: Precisely. It invites us to question the narratives embedded in these seemingly objective depictions of westward settlement. What do you think? Editor: I never thought about it that way, there's so much more than what meets the eye. Thank you. Curator: You're welcome. Considering art through this lens encourages critical engagement with the past and its lasting impact.