Ehrenbreitstein 1817

Editor: So, this is Turner's watercolor, Ehrenbreitstein. The sweeping, almost dizzying composition is immediately striking. What do you see when you look at how he's structured the scene? Curator: Observe how Turner employs contrasting light and shadow to articulate form. The interplay between these elements creates depth and volume, drawing the eye through the composition. Note also the textural variations achieved through the layering of washes. Editor: It’s almost like he's using light itself as a building material, as much as the pigment. I never really thought about watercolor as a medium for structure. Curator: Precisely. The materiality of the medium becomes integral to the subject. Consider how Turner's manipulation of watercolor enhances the depiction of the castle's monumentality. Editor: I see that now! I'll definitely look at watercolors differently from now on.