The Maline House c. 20th century

Editor: This is "The Maline House" by Herman Armour Webster. It depicts a street scene. The architecture looks quite old, almost medieval. What can you tell me about it? Curator: It's evocative, isn't it? Beyond the charming depiction of Parisian life, consider what it omits. Whose stories are silenced in this seemingly quaint scene? Where are the working class, the marginalized communities? Editor: So, you're suggesting that the image, in its focus, is making a statement? Curator: Precisely. By choosing this particular view, Webster reinforces a specific narrative of Paris, one that romanticizes the past and perhaps overlooks contemporary social realities. Editor: That's a powerful perspective. I hadn't considered the politics of what’s *not* shown. Curator: Exactly! Thinking about art is not just looking at what is present, but about understanding the power dynamics at play when art gets created.