A4: Connecticut Valley Tavern Parlor, c. 1750 c. 1940

Editor: We're looking at "Connecticut Valley Tavern Parlor, c. 1750" by Narcissa Niblack Thorne. Although dated around 1940, it represents a much earlier time, and there's something so still and inviting about this room. It almost feels like stepping back in time. What really strikes you about it? Curator: Ah, yes. It’s a miniature world, isn’t it? A peek into a past both real and imagined. For me, it whispers stories. Tales of hushed conversations by the fire, travelers seeking rest. And the dedication… Thorne was, I suspect, obsessed with authenticity; each piece seems lovingly crafted, deliberately placed. Do you get a sense of that too, the care involved? Editor: I do! It's amazing to see all those wooden materials… And how the light kind of reflects in interesting places... The shapes almost look very academic! Curator: Exactly. You touched on the Academic tradition... but in this context the artistry might evoke questions such as, how do we connect to domestic interiors? Can miniature instill nostalgia? The commitment to that style of accurate depiction can become part of the story, what do you think? Editor: So the commitment itself tells a story too, and offers an interesting insight into Thorne's practice. Curator: Indeed. It asks us: what do we seek in representing the past? Comfort? Beauty? A lost connection? Or, is there something else? Perhaps that is the question we are left with after viewing, hmmm? Editor: That’s given me a lot to think about. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. I hope these insights offer you - and listeners - food for future reflections!