Village of Simplon 19th-20th century

Curator: Charles Herbert's "Village of Simplon" presents a captivating view of a village nestled at the foot of towering mountains. The print captures a specific location without offering a specific date. Editor: There's such quietness in this composition, despite its scale. The buildings are solid geometric forms, anchored by that imposing church tower. Curator: The village of Simplon holds historical significance as a key passage through the Alps. Its inhabitants would have been deeply connected to this landscape. Editor: The artist's manipulation of light emphasizes the contrast between the solid architecture and the vast mountain range. The textures are rendered with remarkable detail, from the rough-hewn stone to the soft clouds. Curator: It would be interesting to understand who lived there and who was passing through, and how the construction of the village shaped its inhabitants' lives. Editor: Indeed. These spatial relationships, the verticality versus the horizontality, create a narrative on their own. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure.