Doorway in Venice with Closed Doors 1887

Editor: This watercolor by Joseph Smith, "Doorway in Venice with Closed Doors," presents a weathered entrance right on the water. The green doors are so intriguing. What social or political narratives do you see here? Curator: Closed doors in Venice always suggest a certain level of exclusivity and power. Venice was historically a city of trade, but also of strict social hierarchies and hidden alliances. Who might these doors be closed to? What labor built the steps and the walls? Editor: That’s a really good question. I hadn’t thought about it that way. Curator: Consider also how the water, depicted so serenely here, served as both a means of access and a barrier, defining who belonged and who did not. Editor: This makes me wonder what's behind those doors and who gets to decide that. Curator: Exactly. Art becomes a powerful tool to question these power dynamics and the narratives they create. Editor: Thanks! I will definitely consider this in my research. Curator: It was my pleasure.