Illustration No. 18 c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have Herbert G. French’s “Illustration No. 18,” a photogravure from around the 20th century. The hazy quality makes it seem like it’s capturing a dream. There's a figure, almost theatrical in their dress, positioned in this ethereal landscape. What draws your eye when you look at it? Curator: Oh, it whisks me away to another world! Doesn’t it feel like stepping into a Pre-Raphaelite painting? That figure amidst the soft-focus background… there's a mystery there, isn't there? What do you make of her gesture, the way she holds her hands to her head? Editor: It almost feels like she’s overwhelmed, maybe by the beauty or some hidden aspect of the landscape. Curator: Precisely! Pictorialism, which this aligns with, often sought to elevate photography to art by using soft focus and evocative compositions. French isn't just capturing an image, but constructing a feeling. The clothing also suggests something of the theatre to me – an operatic drama perhaps. It’s not just *what* you see, but *how* it makes you feel. Don't you agree? Editor: I do, the dreamlike quality and the symbolism transform the photograph. Curator: Exactly! The artist has this incredible gift, almost an invitation into an imaginative realm. Editor: It’s fascinating how a photograph can be so much more than just a recording of reality. Curator: Absolutely. It is less about recording, and all about suggesting, a very delicate art. Thanks for taking me there!