Postern Gateway c. 1901

Curator: This is Joseph Pennell's "Postern Gateway," a print now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It strikes me as quite somber, almost oppressive, with that dense, dark foliage pressing in on the architecture. Curator: Pennell, born in 1857, frequently depicted architectural subjects. He was particularly interested in how structures shape the lived experiences of those who inhabit them. Think about class, power, and access here. Editor: Yes, but consider the materials – the ink, the paper – and how the density of the lines creates a weighty, tactile presence, almost like the stone itself. It’s about more than just the gateway’s social implications; it's about its very construction. Curator: Absolutely, and seeing this as a gateway--we should think about who is kept out and who is allowed in. Pennell invites us to question those boundaries. Editor: Interesting. The interplay of labor and capital is evident. I find myself focusing on the physical act of its creation. Curator: Ultimately, I see it as an image that asks us to consider the forces at play when we enter historic spaces. Editor: And for me, it remains a powerful reminder of the relationship between the artist's hand and the built environment.