Florence '57/Cambridge '90 1990

Curator: This is Michael Mazur's "Florence '57/Cambridge '90," a compelling woodcut. What strikes you about it? Editor: There's a starkness to it, a rawness. The text feels deeply personal, vulnerable even. It’s like glimpsing a private moment of artistic awakening. Curator: Indeed. Mazur captures his youthful ambition. The letter describes his first woodcut, a self-portrait made during his time at the Uffizi. Editor: I find it interesting how he juxtaposes the excitement of discovering art with the homesickness in his words. It speaks to the complex emotions of self-discovery and following your passion. Curator: The work highlights the artist's formative experiences and the cultural institutions that helped shape his path. It speaks to the influence of travel and institutional support in the making of an artist. Editor: Absolutely, and it also touches on the universal theme of familial expectations and the desire to forge one's own identity. It’s so earnest. Curator: A remarkable piece that resonates across time. Editor: Yes, a humble beginning, captured with striking honesty.