Old Marblehead 1949

Editor: This is Shirley Thomson Hadley's "Old Marblehead" print from 1969. I'm struck by the stark contrast and how the large tree dominates the composition. What sociopolitical narratives do you think this work might be engaging with? Curator: It’s tempting to see this as a nostalgic view of Americana, but consider the date. 1969. Hadley, as a woman artist, may be subtly critiquing the idealized narratives of small-town life, particularly for women. Do you see any tension between the apparent tranquility and the graphic style? Editor: Yes, the high contrast creates a kind of unease. I never considered that! Curator: Exactly. It prompts us to question whose stories are being told and whose are being left out of this "old" Marblehead. Editor: I see it now. This image isn't just a depiction of a town; it's a commentary on the stories we tell about the past. Curator: And how those stories shape our present. Thanks for noticing!