Landscape, West Penwith Moor 1937

Editor: So this is Adrian Stokes's "Landscape, West Penwith Moor." It feels quite muted and earthy. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, consider the historical context. Stokes painted this landscape during a period of intense social and political upheaval. His choice to depict the land, rather than figures, speaks to a desire to locate a sense of stability and perhaps belonging in the face of societal fragmentation. Editor: Belonging? Curator: Yes, how does the land itself become a character? The muted palette and the way the land seems to fold in on itself...do you see a parallel with the psychological landscapes explored by his contemporaries grappling with trauma? Editor: I see that. It's less about the beauty of nature and more about its weight, its history. Thanks! Curator: Exactly! Thinking about art as a reflection of its time opens up so many avenues for understanding.