Lantern c. 1937

Ralph Atkinson, born in 1855, made this small watercolor called 'Lantern', but we do not know when. Let's consider what this object might represent, especially considering its maker. Born in the mid-19th century, Atkinson likely lived through a period of immense technological change, witnessing the shift from candle and lantern-lit spaces to those illuminated by electric light. The lantern, once a necessary tool for navigating darkness, becomes a symbol of a fading way of life. Think about the emotional weight of such a transition. Does this lantern represent a sense of nostalgia for a simpler past, or perhaps a quiet acknowledgement of progress? Consider the lantern's gentle light, a stark contrast to the harsh glare of electricity. There is an intimacy to the lantern, a connection to more intimate, personal modes of living. It makes me think about how we navigate the world, literally and metaphorically, and the tools we use to find our way. In its delicate rendering, Atkinson's 'Lantern' invites us to reflect on how our relationship to the past shapes our present.