Cloister Street c. 20th century

Curator: Looking at Herman Armour Webster's etching, "Cloister Street," I'm immediately struck by the somber, almost secretive atmosphere. The buildings seem to lean in, whispering. Editor: It feels…familiar, doesn't it? Like a memory of a European village square. Notice how the artist uses those clustered figures to suggest something beyond just architectural documentation. Curator: Yes, the figures certainly add a layer. Cloisters often evoke ideas of community, tradition, and even refuge, don’t they? I wonder if Webster was drawn to the cloister as a kind of archetype? Editor: Perhaps. The light, or lack thereof, plays a part. It's almost as if the buildings are shielding the street, creating a sacred space, a visual representation of introspection and historical continuity. Curator: And the delicate line work of the etching itself enhances that sense of quiet contemplation. It invites us to pause and consider the stories held within these walls. Editor: I agree, it’s a very still slice of time. The artist really does seem to have captured the weight of the past.