Mills next to the Domremy-la-Pucelle c. 19th century

Curator: At first glance, I see an idyllic scene—dark foliage, a small bridge, the gentle flow of water—it feels…peaceful, almost melancholic. Editor: Indeed. This is August Aristide Fernand Constantin's "Mills next to the Domremy-la-Pucelle," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. I find it evokes a certain social memory. Curator: The ducks swimming in the foreground add a lovely touch. Are they symbolic? Editor: Possibly, but it is a Romantic-era scene depicting the cultural importance of rural life. The mill symbolizes labor, a key socio-political element. Curator: It is a lovely reminder of simpler times, a romanticized view of labor connected to nature. There’s something very human about that enduring image. Editor: I concur; it reflects our continuing need to project idealized values onto the past.