6. Near Castel à Mare 1778 - 1779

Editor: Here we have John ‘Warwick’ Smith’s watercolour, "Near Castel à Mare." It's quite small, but the composition creates a sense of expansive space. How do you interpret the formal elements at play here? Curator: Observe how Smith employs a limited palette, primarily earth tones punctuated by blues and greens. The composition hinges on the interplay between the solidity of the architecture and the fluidity of the water. Editor: I see that, the contrast is quite stark. What does that signify? Curator: The rough texture of the rocks contrasts with the smooth application of colour in the sky and sea. This contrast creates a tension, drawing our eye across the pictorial plane. Note the use of light to define form and create depth. Editor: It almost feels unfinished, yet resolved. Curator: Precisely. The incomplete nature invites the viewer to actively participate in its completion.