Landscape Number 64 c. 19th century

Curator: Alexandre Calame, a Swiss artist active in the 19th century, is the creator of this landscape, known as Landscape Number 64, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the feeling of Romantic isolation. The scene presents nature in a raw, untamed state, evoking a sense of solitude. Curator: Indeed. Calame's landscapes were often interpreted through the lens of national identity. The lack of industrial presence serves to underscore the image of an untouched and perhaps idealized homeland. Editor: Absolutely. One can also read into this image themes of eco-feminism, and the relationship between women and nature. The landscape as feminine form, fertile and sustaining, yet vulnerable to exploitation. Curator: It's a compelling reading that expands the conversation. Considering the social and political history of the time, Calame's deliberate choices become even more interesting. Editor: It certainly gives us much to contemplate the enduring power of art to reflect, critique, and ultimately, shape our understanding of the world.