New Year's Greetings From the Merrymount Press 1927

Curator: Ruzicka's "New Year's Greetings From the Merrymount Press" gives us a serene bridge scene. Its mood feels quiet, almost contemplative, doesn't it? Editor: Indeed. I see in this image of a New England bridge and river a commentary on access and elitism. Who crosses and who remains below? Curator: Well, observe the careful rendering of line and the subtle gradations of color. It is a masterful wood engraving, note the detail in the clouds and the water. Editor: I can see that, but am more moved by the Latin inscription above, "Nisi Dominus..." Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. A reminder, perhaps, of a privileged perspective? Curator: Perhaps. But the artwork also functions on a visual level. It is a study in perspective and balance. Editor: I see that, but this piece makes me think about how we build bridges, both literal and metaphorical, in society. Curator: Precisely. Its beauty lies in its formal execution. Editor: True, but let’s not ignore its potential political subtext.