Amalfi 1887

Editor: This is Joseph Smith’s watercolour, "Amalfi". It is a gorgeous depiction of a building in the Italian countryside. It feels so serene and…almost dreamlike. What can you tell me about the cultural significance of a piece like this? Curator: Well, watercolors like this gained popularity as travel became more accessible. They are not just pretty pictures. How do you think this image might have been used to shape perceptions of Italy? Editor: Maybe to promote tourism? To romanticize the Italian landscape? Curator: Precisely. And consider who could afford such travel and artwork at the time. How might this influence the narrative presented? Editor: I hadn't considered the social context of the image itself. Thanks. Curator: It is important to think about how such images contributed to broader cultural understanding.