Storm 1891

Editor: This is Anders Zorn's "Storm," an etching from 1891 currently residing at the Met. I'm really struck by how dynamic it feels despite being a monochromatic print. It almost feels like I can feel the wind and rain lashing against that lone rider and horse. What stories do you think it's trying to tell? Curator: It's a fascinating piece when you consider the historical context of Romanticism and its obsession with the sublime. Think about how artists during that era depicted nature as both a powerful and terrifying force. How do you think Zorn uses the print medium to amplify that feeling? Editor: Well, the etching gives it this raw, almost unfinished look. It’s not precise or polished, it feels immediate. And that seems fitting for such a chaotic scene. I guess what is intriguing is the implicit, historical theme. Curator: Exactly. Think about whose stories are often centered in depictions of historical events, then and now? Do you think Zorn, perhaps even inadvertently, is commenting on the individual's struggle against larger forces, both natural and societal? The lone figure in the storm... Could it symbolize resilience, but also the vulnerability of marginalized groups? Editor: That makes me think about how many narratives have been deliberately left out of mainstream historical accounts. Framing it this way, it’s no longer just about the drama of the storm but more about human stories of perseverance amidst struggle. Curator: And what about the rider and horse, forging onward. Think of historical migration patterns or fleeing oppression. Where does that narrative lead us in terms of today's world? Editor: It really adds layers of complexity. The etching ceases to just be this image of a dramatic landscape, and now reflects something greater. Thank you for showing me that! Curator: It’s through these layers that art connects us. Keep questioning what you see and thinking about *who* isn't seen and you will start discovering so much.