Conway Valley and Mt. Washington, from Conway 1854

Curator: This is John Adams Whipple’s "Conway Valley and Mt. Washington, from Conway," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Whipple, born in 1822, was a pioneer in early American photography. Editor: It's so serene, isn't it? That hazy mountain range softened by the sepia tones...it feels like a memory half-forgotten. Curator: Landscape photography like this was often used to promote tourism and westward expansion, shaping public perception of the American landscape. Editor: And yet, there's a quiet stillness that almost resists that narrative. Look at the way the town nestles in the valley, seemingly untouched. It feels more about contemplation than conquest. Curator: It’s a fascinating intersection of art, technology, and the evolving American identity. Editor: Absolutely, a scene both grand and intimate, inviting us to ponder the passage of time and the enduring spirit of place.