Santa Maria del Sasso, Locarno c. 1911

Curator: Looking at this etching from around 1911, Percival Gaskell’s "Santa Maria del Sasso, Locarno", I am immediately drawn to the way the artist captures the geometric cityscape with such precision, all softened by a somewhat Impressionistic technique. What is your immediate impression? Editor: I'm struck by how much this image makes me consider themes of faith and power, rendered here in the formidable architecture of the Santa Maria del Sasso. It sits almost impossibly atop that steep precipice, a monument both spiritual and worldly. Curator: Precisely. Consider how the basilica dominates the landscape, reflecting humanity's reaching toward something transcendent, both literally and figuratively. The mountains in the background almost echo the church's striving form, linking earthly and spiritual realms. Editor: And it also symbolizes the dominance of the church in this particular socio-cultural setting, literally towering over the local populace, acting as a constant reminder of faith, certainly, but also, more insidiously, a locus of control. How does that cultural memory tie into its design for you? Curator: The architectural composition speaks volumes about cultural continuity. Arches, domes, the carefully placed windows... Each element echoes classical forms, establishing links to a rich history of power, religion, and social structure. Each evokes echoes from the Roman Empire up through to early modern religion. Editor: Yet, I wonder if this visual echo may reflect a nostalgic desire to legitimize modern power structures by referencing a "glorious" historical past, almost a type of propaganda encoded within its architecture that can only be made transparent through the artistic image. Curator: A plausible idea. In my perspective, the artist utilizes Impressionistic touches, a softer style that tempers that visual assertion of power by subtly veiling any aggressive interpretations that might have come across through stark realism. Editor: Agreed. Percival Gaskell's choice of etching certainly adds a layer of depth to this symbolic landscape. Thanks for shedding light on all the possible ways an image and its architectural center can project power over centuries. Curator: It’s a rewarding exchange. Percival Gaskell reminds us that the dialogue between human aspiration, social forces, and enduring symbols will play out for many years to come, mediated by art and open for conversation.