L’Amour manillé c. 1905

Curator: Lucien Pissarro, born in 1863, created this wood engraving, “L’Amour manillé.” It’s currently held in the Tate Collections. Editor: The stark contrast of black and white gives it a melancholic, almost mournful air, despite the pastoral scene. Curator: The title translates to something like "love in shackles," which seems fitting given the child’s posture. The landscape, although idyllic, appears confined, mirroring perhaps societal constraints on love. Editor: I see the image of Cupid here – a child with wings – that contrasts with the windmill, a symbol of industry. Love constrained by the social machine? Curator: Exactly. The image could be a critique of how societal norms and industrialization shackle genuine emotion and freedom. Editor: Indeed, a poignant reflection on the tensions between nature, love, and societal pressure. Curator: It's a powerful piece, particularly resonant when viewed through a lens of societal expectations.