On Lake Como c. 1910

Curator: Hello! Let’s delve into George Elbert Burr's etching, "On Lake Como," created around 1910. Editor: This etching style reminds me of impressionism, almost like a pencil sketch. The house right on the water has an enchanting feeling, doesn't it? How do you interpret this work, considering its historical context? Curator: It's fascinating to consider what Burr might be trying to communicate about class and leisure. The site may depict a tension between nature and the built environment, given how the built environment has affected landscapes like Lake Como and the distribution of the benefits it offers, like relaxation or commerce. Also, who would be viewing this artwork and identifying with it? Editor: That is a new lens I have not previously considered! I was so caught up in the aesthetics. Does the medium of etching add anything to that narrative? Curator: Definitely. Etching was gaining prominence then, offering wider access to art ownership. Prints democratized art, taking it out of the salons and palaces and into middle-class homes. Do you see this as aligning or clashing with how Lake Como is seen today in pop culture and social media? Editor: Interesting… so it democratized art for its time, even though now the place it depicts, Lake Como, might signify something entirely different, such as exclusivity, privilege and elitism. It makes me question if certain imagery is tied to certain historical moments, and whether that has changed over time! Curator: Exactly! Seeing the echoes of class and access allows us to ask, “Whose vision is represented?” It opens up vital conversations around privilege. Editor: Thanks! Now I feel like I have new questions about how art impacts different segments of society at different times! Curator: My pleasure!