Memory of Brittany 1832

Curator: This is Eugène Isabey's "Memory of Brittany," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. The lithographic print shows a quiet street scene. Editor: It has such a somber feel—the heavy sky and the almost oppressive architecture leaning in. What about the materiality of the print itself? Curator: Isabey chose lithography, a relatively new and accessible medium at the time, that allowed for the mass production and distribution of imagery like this, fueling a burgeoning market for picturesque views. Editor: So it's a commodified memory, a portable piece of Brittany. The labor involved in the printmaking suggests this image was meant for broader consumption. Curator: Exactly. These images helped shape perceptions of regions and fueled tourism, but also shaped what was considered worthy of artistic representation. Editor: Seeing it through that lens, it feels less melancholic and more like a document of cultural exchange and commercialization. Curator: Yes, a reminder that even idyllic scenes are shaped by the forces of the art market and the wider socio-economic landscape. Editor: Quite a nuanced memory after all.