The Seine at Pont-Maurin 1876

Editor: Here we have Daubigny's "The Seine at Pont-Maurin", held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a delicate etching. What strikes me most is its quiet stillness. What do you see in it? Curator: The Seine, historically a source of life and commerce, often appears in art as a symbol of continuity and the passage of time. Notice how the trees frame the scene. Do you think that this framing creates a symbolic gateway? Editor: Perhaps, a gateway to nature? I hadn't thought of it that way. Curator: Indeed. The river, acting as a mirror, reflects both the natural world and our inner selves, inviting contemplation on the cyclical nature of existence. Editor: It’s amazing how much symbolism can be packed into a seemingly simple landscape.