Gezicht op kust van Gaeta en mausoleum van Munatius Plancus (Lucio Munazio Planco) 1778

Louis Ducros captured this view of the coast of Gaeta and the mausoleum of Munatius Plancus around the turn of the 19th century using pen, brush, and watercolor. Ducros was interested in the watercolor medium, and the unique qualities it afforded him. Notice how the delicate washes create a soft, atmospheric effect. Unlike oil paint which can be endlessly reworked, watercolor demands a high degree of precision and planning. The artist must build up layers of translucent color, allowing the white of the paper to shine through. Ducros skillfully exploits the fluidity of watercolor to capture the shimmering surface of the sea. He applied fine, controlled strokes with a brush to depict the architectural details of the mausoleum and coastal buildings. This attention to detail reflects the era's fascination with topographical accuracy. Ducros used watercolor in a way that was true to both the observed scene and the inherent properties of the medium, elevating it beyond mere illustration. This reminds us that the value of art lies not just in the subject, but in the artist's skilled manipulation of materials.