Autumn 1904

Editor: This is Edward Atkinson Hornel’s “Autumn” from the Tate collection. The girls amidst the foliage evoke such a sentimental, almost fairy-tale feeling. What do you make of it? Curator: Hornel’s work exists within a fascinating historical context. The Glasgow Boys, of whom he was a part, were reacting against the established art scene. How does this painting challenge or subvert conventional Victorian depictions of childhood? Editor: I see your point! Maybe the lack of idealization, the girls look very natural. What do you think Hornel was trying to express about childhood and its place in society? Curator: It could be that Hornel was positioning these children as intrinsically linked to nature, free from the constraints of societal expectations that the establishment imposed. Editor: That’s a great perspective. It makes me appreciate the subtle rebellion embedded in such a seemingly sweet image. Curator: Indeed, it reveals how art can subtly challenge prevailing norms and values.