Autumn 19th-20th century

Curator: Robert Hoskin created this piece, titled "Autumn." It’s currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s evocative, a somber mood hangs in the air. The figure almost appears to be weighed down by an unseen force. Curator: Observe how Hoskin uses the imagery of falling leaves and birds in flight to reinforce the melancholic themes often associated with the season of autumn. The woman's veiled head speaks of mourning and reflection. Editor: I'm drawn to the print work itself, the quality of the lines, and the way the artist has chosen to show that the work is printed on paper, with all the marks visible, and not on canvas. What statement is Hoskin making with this choice? Curator: Perhaps he intends to draw attention to the cyclical nature of life, mirroring the fall of leaves with the inevitable passage of time and the symbolic weight the image evokes. Editor: Yes, there is something honest in the use of the raw materials, and a kind of acknowledgement of mortality embedded within it.