The Arno at Pisa 1883

Curator: Good morning. Editor: Here we have Joseph Pennell's 1883 etching, "The Arno at Pisa." It's so delicate and seems to capture a quiet moment in the city, but it also feels a bit… nostalgic, maybe? How do you interpret this work beyond its aesthetic appeal? Curator: Beyond the pleasing arrangement of lines and forms, this etching really speaks to the rapidly changing urban landscape of the late 19th century. Pisa, like many European cities, was caught between preserving its historical identity and embracing modern progress. Do you see how Pennell uses line to create both a sense of detail and also a kind of blurring effect? Editor: Yes, there’s a looseness that almost feels impressionistic. I’m wondering how this portrayal might comment on social class or lived experiences. Curator: Absolutely! Consider who this scene might have been made for and what perspectives were prioritised. These cityscapes often served as documents of 'civilised' life, designed to promote tourism and bolster national pride for a rising middle class. Whose stories are visible, and whose are not? Notice that lone figure strolling. What can we deduce about that person's gender, economic status, or position in society at that time, just by studying Pennell's work and other visual signifiers of his era? Editor: So, the etching functions not just as art but almost as a social commentary, carefully curated. It makes me rethink what I considered ‘just’ a pretty picture. Curator: Precisely. Art doesn't exist in a vacuum. This piece encapsulates anxieties and aspirations and speaks to socio-political circumstances that shaped its creation. Editor: This has given me so much to think about when looking at art! I really appreciate it! Curator: My pleasure! I hope that examining "The Arno at Pisa" using an intersectional lens has changed your view for future art encounters.