Street Scene c. 20th century

Editor: This “Street Scene” at the Harvard Art Museums is by an imitator of Maurice Utrillo. It’s quite charming, almost like a postcard. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: It makes me think about authenticity in art and how value is assigned. This painting, because it's by an imitator, likely lacks the same market value as an original Utrillo. But does that diminish its artistic merit? Editor: That's a good point. Does the lack of a known artist change how we perceive the scene itself? Curator: Absolutely. It raises questions about the role of the artist's name in shaping our viewing experience and understanding the politics of art valuation. It also prompts us to think about how museums legitimize and perpetuate certain hierarchies within the art world. Editor: I hadn't considered the institutional aspect so directly. Thanks for that insight.