The Concièrgerie, Paris 1908

Curator: Donald Shaw MacLaughlan created this etching, "The Conciergerie, Paris," around 1908. The print captures a view of the historic Conciergerie, as seen across the Seine. Editor: It's striking, isn't it? Somber, almost. The light is so delicate, but it casts a certain gloom over the formidable structure. Curator: The building's weight definitely carries historical baggage, and MacLauchlan captures that perfectly. It started as a medieval royal palace, but of course, became notorious as a prison during the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette was held here before her execution. Editor: The bridge and water are like an eerie reflection pool that mirrors all that sorrow, wouldn't you say? There are only hints of people crossing or passing by on boats, as if only ghosts remain there now. Curator: Exactly, this view avoids any explicit references to revolution or imprisonment, but by depicting the building's imposing scale and austere architectural details, he subtly conveys its institutional power and historical weight. Editor: Yes, those turrets and arches – they resemble a fortress more than a royal dwelling. It's almost as if the stones themselves absorbed the memories of countless prisoners. Notice also the almost overwhelming symbolism of being reflected in the Seine—in mythology and art, water has many meanings. Curator: The location of the scene, juxtaposing both temporal beauty and a space of extreme political violence in one location, may act as a warning sign against any state violence. The landscape tradition here becomes a loaded subject that references the deep memory ingrained into public space. Editor: Overall, I find this scene somber and evocative. It calls up centuries of the collective past of that place, and uses its image to give memory to it. Curator: I would certainly agree. It invites reflection not only on the artist’s skilled technique, but also on the narratives and social structures that the depicted built environment reflects and shapes.