Dusk 

Claire Van Vliet's lithograph print, titled 'Dusk', captures a landscape in the fading light. It is not just an innocent reflection of nature: images of landscapes in the Western tradition have often served nationalistic purposes. Consider the role of landscape in constructing ideas about nationhood. Think of the Hudson River School in the United States, for instance, whose paintings promoted the idea of expansion and the conquest of the West, or the work of John Constable in England who provided a romanticized image of rural life, at a time when the country was rapidly industrializing. Perhaps in a similar vein, Van Vliet offers an image of natural beauty that encourages environmental awareness, made in an era where there is growing ecological concern. Understanding the function of this lithograph requires considering the period and cultural context in which Van Vliet was working, examining her other artworks, and looking at any writings or interviews she may have given. All of these inform the interpretation of art and its role in society.