Waterworks at Frascati 

Editor: Here we have Johann Wilhelm Baur's ink and wash drawing, "Waterworks at Frascati," currently held at the Städel Museum. It feels very much of its time – a serene, almost dreamlike depiction of Baroque grandeur. What do you make of this piece? Curator: Well, first off, you've nailed that "dreamlike" quality. Baur’s really captured that late Baroque fascination with elaborate gardens. It's not just about plants, is it? But these meticulously designed spaces were stages, theaters of water, stone, and light. I'm wondering, does this feel theatrical to you at all? Editor: Absolutely. All those fountains and sculptures look like actors in a play. What about the monochromatic palette though? It gives everything a slightly muted, historical distance. Curator: Right, that's the wash medium doing its work. It helps lend a sense of atmosphere, that gentle fading that age and memory give. Look closely though; that's not a hurried sketch. There's precise detail, especially in the architectural elements and in those figures, right? I see a dance between formality and fluidity in his touch. What else jumps out for you? Editor: Maybe the sheer scale. I get the impression that the garden stretches out much further than what we see in the image. Also, is that some kind of bird near the lower left fountain? Curator: Good eye. And scale... I'd bet anything that Baur was really interested in creating an impressive drawing, with carefully arranged groups and trees. Editor: Seeing how you pointed out the Baroque elements helped me notice all of the subtle detailing. Now I think I have a much deeper understanding. Curator: Excellent, and now you've put the Baroque aesthetic in my mind for the rest of the afternoon!