Collections Database

Label Text:
The words and images that Mathis combines within her photographs have an etymological relationship--that is, the images evince the origins of the word or phrase. Mathis explains the relationship illustrated in this photograph on the frontispiece of the portfolio:

"In the 1600's, before the days of radar, the only way to know if the enemy was coming was to actually see him. Highest ground being the best vantage point and the highest ground usually meant a steep hill. Erta is the rather obsolete Italian word for hill. The cry 'Stai all'erta' was a cry to man the hills. Over time the English language absorbed the Italian and 'to the hill' became a slightly less ugent warning to be alert."

MD, 2013

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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=AC+2010.181.3

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