Villeneuve-lès-Avignon c. 1766s - 1776s

Editor: So this is William Marlow's "Villeneuve-lès-Avignon," a watercolor piece. It feels like a captured moment of everyday life. What social context would have influenced this landscape? Curator: Marlow's work participates in a larger 18th-century trend of picturesque landscape depiction, often serving as souvenirs or status symbols for the British elite traveling abroad. How does the inclusion of local figures contribute to or complicate this dynamic, do you think? Editor: It almost feels staged, like the people are part of the scenery. Maybe it was a way for the British to exoticize the local culture while still maintaining a sense of control and ownership over the view. Curator: Precisely. The picturesque aesthetic here isn't just about beauty; it's intertwined with the social and political gaze of the time. Editor: That’s a really interesting point, it shifts my view of the piece entirely. Curator: Indeed, considering the historical and social context allows us to see beyond the surface level of visual appeal.