New Hampshire Sketchbook 1859

Editor: This is Benjamin Champney's *New Hampshire Sketchbook*. It's undated, but the Harvard Art Museums hold it. Seeing this small, worn book, I wonder about all the images it holds and the stories they could tell. What do you see in it? Curator: This object isn’t just a sketchbook; it's a container of cultural memory. Its worn texture speaks of journeys, both literal and artistic. Consider the weight this small object carried, both physically and metaphorically, for Champney as he captured the evolving landscape of New Hampshire. Editor: So, the sketchbook itself becomes a symbol of a changing New Hampshire? Curator: Precisely. The images held within, now unseen by us, represent Champney's personal visual record, influencing how future generations perceived that environment. Think about how artists shape our collective understanding of a place. Editor: That’s fascinating – I never thought about a sketchbook having such symbolic power. Curator: Indeed. By understanding the symbolic function of seemingly mundane objects, we can better appreciate how visual culture shapes our perception of the world.