Channel with Watermill 

Editor: So, this is "Channel with Watermill" by Frits Thaulow, likely created sometime in the late 19th century. It appears to be a watercolor piece with some pencil work. The first thing that strikes me is the texture he's created with the water – it's almost palpable. What stands out to you? Curator: For me, it's about understanding Thaulow's choice of watercolor and the *plein-air* approach. Consider what that *means*—the portability, the immediacy. It speaks to a desire to capture a specific moment, a fleeting interaction between light, water, and architecture. Think about the labour involved. Did he prepare his own paper? Grind his own pigments? Editor: That’s a good point. How does knowing about the artistic process influence how we see the final work? Curator: By understanding Thaulow’s means of production, the labor involved in capturing this scene *in situ*, we move beyond merely admiring its aesthetic qualities. We acknowledge the artist's physical engagement with his environment and the very real cost (of materials and time) associated with representing this scene. The impressionistic style is directly linked to those concerns! What does it mean to value labor in art? Or devalue it? Editor: I see! So, by focusing on materials and methods, we shift our appreciation to consider the broader context of its creation, rather than just the image itself. That helps me connect the artwork with its time. Curator: Precisely. Now you are also considering consumption – for whom was he making this art and what impact would it have? Editor: Thinking about the physical making of the art really has opened up a new perspective for me. Curator: And for me as well. By constantly re-evaluating our material analysis of a piece of art we’re constantly engaging with art itself.