Deacon Abner Stow and his wife Mary, Grafton, Massachusetts, 1783 1963

Editor: This is "Deacon Abner Stow and his wife Mary, Grafton, Massachusetts," created in 1783 by Ann Parker. The mirrored composition of the angels immediately strikes me. What formal qualities stand out to you? Curator: Indeed. The symmetry is quite compelling. Note the meticulous detail in the wings, juxtaposed with the more stylized faces. How does this tension between detail and stylization affect your reading of the piece? Editor: It makes me think about folk art traditions and the artist's technical choices. Do you think the formal constraints of printmaking influenced Parker's aesthetic decisions? Curator: Precisely. The graphic nature of the medium necessitates a simplification of form, yet within that constraint, Parker achieves a remarkable level of complexity in the texture and pattern. Considering the image as a whole, what are your thoughts on the piece's overall impact? Editor: I see how the artist balances detail and simplicity within the medium. It’s helped me appreciate the work's visual language. Curator: And I have been reminded of the power of symmetry to engage the viewer, and its interaction with the stylistic qualities of the art.