Turn of the Monsoon c. 19th century

Curator: We're looking at George Baxter's "Turn of the Monsoon," a fascinating image held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels like a pivotal moment captured, doesn't it? The lion seems poised on the cliff, the deer are fleeing, and the storm looms. Curator: Baxter was a pioneer in color printing, and this piece exemplifies his technique. It speaks to the Victorian fascination with exotic landscapes and wildlife. Editor: Absolutely. But it's also worth considering the colonial context. The romanticized depiction of the "untamed" monsoon season flattens the reality of its impact on the local communities. Curator: That's a critical point. Baxter’s work was commercially driven, intended for a British audience eager to consume images of the Empire. Editor: It's a reminder of how art can both reflect and reinforce power structures, even when depicting nature's grandeur. Curator: A powerful example of the complex interplay between art, commerce, and imperial ideology. Editor: Definitely, there's so much more to unpack here than meets the eye.