Hospice of the Great St. Bernard, with Dogs 18th-19th century

Curator: Here we have W. R. Smith's "Hospice of the Great St. Bernard, with Dogs," a rather enigmatic little print. Editor: It’s stark, isn't it? I'm immediately struck by the small figures dwarfed by the harsh landscape. It speaks of isolation and dependence on these animals. Curator: Absolutely, and consider the cultural context. Images of the St. Bernard dogs became incredibly popular in the 19th century, romanticizing the idea of alpine rescue. These dogs weren't just pets, they were vital labor. Editor: And the hospice itself, a place of refuge and aid, funded and maintained through specific labor. How does this image then participate in this tradition of showing care? Is it selling a fantasy, or showing the truth? Curator: Perhaps both, and something else too. The artist seems less interested in perfect realism and more in using the print medium to evoke a feeling, a sense of the sublime. Editor: Food for thought. It is a curious piece, and its focus on material conditions adds a lot. Curator: Indeed. It's a small print, yet it evokes a world of human and animal labor.