Rangeley Lake, Maine Possibly 1878

Editor: This is Benjamin Champney's "Rangeley Lake, Maine," a graphite drawing. It feels like a fleeting moment, quickly captured. What strikes you about it? Curator: For me, it's about the very act of *making*. Notice the visible pencil strokes, the paper itself – these are crucial. Champney wasn't just representing nature, he was engaging in a material process, transforming graphite and paper into an image tied to a specific locale. Editor: So you're saying the *how* is as important as the *what*? Curator: Exactly. Consider the social context. Landscape drawings like these were often created for a growing tourist market. How does Champney’s method fit into the commercialization of nature? Editor: I see. It connects artistic labor to broader economic trends. Curator: Precisely. The drawing becomes more than just a pretty view; it's a product of its time, reflecting both artistic skill and the forces of consumption. I wonder what Champney's experience was? Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. Thanks!