Views of Villenueve les Avignon, from Picturesque Selections c. 1860

Editor: This is "Views of Villenueve les Avignon, from Picturesque Selections," a lithograph print on paper by James Duffield Harding, dating from around 1860. I’m struck by the multiple perspectives he offers of the landscape; it reminds me of a collection of postcards. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It's interesting that you see it as a collection of postcards. For me, this print encapsulates the Romantic movement’s fascination with landscape and the picturesque, but with a political undercurrent. Consider how these 'views' are framed and selected. Whose view are we seeing? Harding was catering to the taste of the British elite who traveled and collected such scenes, reinforcing a colonial gaze onto the foreign landscape. What do you think is missing from these idealized views? Editor: That's a thought-provoking point! I hadn't considered the colonial context. Perhaps what’s missing is a sense of the everyday lives of the local population; we only see them as small figures within the broader scenery. It feels depopulated or selectively populated, presenting a specific narrative of the location. Curator: Exactly! By omitting or minimizing the presence and agency of the local people, these picturesque views subtly reinforced a sense of British superiority and entitlement to the landscape. The ‘picturesque’ was not just about aesthetics; it was deeply entangled with power and representation. Do you think this lens is still relevant today? Editor: Absolutely. It highlights the importance of critically examining whose perspectives are valued and represented, and how historical biases can influence our understanding of places and cultures even today. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Recognizing the layers of historical context is key to unlocking richer meanings in artworks like this one.