Landscape Number 7 c. 19th century

Curator: Let's turn our attention to Alexandre Calame's "Landscape Number 7," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a world of greys! Editor: Yes, it feels heavy, almost burdened by its own atmosphere. You can practically feel the weight of the stone and the dampness in the air. Curator: Calame, ever the Romantic, captures the sublime in nature. I see a tiny figure seated, dwarfed by the land, evoking that potent mix of awe and vulnerability. Editor: Speaking of stone, I wonder about the process. Was it a lithograph? The tonal range is fascinating, built up through layers of labor. How many proofs did he make? Curator: Ah, process is always on your mind! For me, it's the light that sings. It hints at transcendence, yet remains firmly rooted in the earthly realm. Editor: Well, every sunrise involves exploited labor somewhere down the line. But I suppose even the bourgeoisie can appreciate a nice vista. Curator: Maybe beauty and exploitation can share the stage, after all. I'm left pondering the balance between the grand and the granular. Editor: As am I, pondering the cost of that view, both in material and human terms.