Landscape c. 1988

Curator: Elena Prentice's "Landscape," held here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents a serene waterscape in delicate monochrome watercolor. Editor: It’s remarkably still—almost meditative. The muted palette and soft washes give it a dreamlike quality, a quiet reflection of nature. Curator: The absence of vibrant color serves to highlight the underlying structure. Consider how Prentice, through subtle gradations of tone, evokes a landscape imbued with socio-political implications related to environmental consciousness. Editor: I'm also drawn to the materiality. The visible texture of the paper and the way the watercolor bleeds suggest an immediate, almost transient process of creation. It speaks to a certain economy of means. Curator: Absolutely, and let’s not forget that landscapes are not neutral. They are deeply embedded with layers of cultural and historical meaning that relate to place, identity, and power. Editor: Looking at it now, I appreciate how the simplicity of Prentice's approach amplifies its impact. Curator: Indeed, it challenges us to consider landscapes not just as beautiful scenes, but as spaces infused with complex histories and power dynamics.