Curatorial Narrative The enigmatic “Fair Virginia from Virginia” by Anonymous exemplifies the aesthetic currents of late 19th-century Victorian art. Executed in 1899, this work embodies the eclectic sensibilities of its era, blurring boundaries between architecture and landscape painting. The artist’s decision to eschew traditional brushwork and focus on a flat, two-dimensional representation of Virginia’s picturesque facade bespeaks an interest in the emerging field of architectural illustration. By prioritizing line, form, and color over atmospheric perspective, the artist creates a sense of spatial rhythm that recalls the intricate patterns found in Victorian architecture. As “Fair Virginia from Virginia” is enlarged to its maximum dimensions of 44×58 inches, its chromatic structure takes on a new level of depth and complexity. The yellow and purple hues, initially perceived as vibrant and optimistic, give way to a more nuanced