Figures on the Beach c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have Figures on the Beach, done in the style of J.M.W. Turner. The piece is currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The application of color is so subtle, so restrained; it’s almost monochromatic. Curator: True, but consider the social context. Turner's influence on depictions of leisure and the seaside is undeniable. Such scenes became increasingly popular with the rise of tourism and a growing middle class. Editor: I’m drawn to the texture – you can almost feel the roughness of the paper and see the tentative strokes of the pencil and wash. Curator: These sketches allowed for the rapid capture of atmospheric effects. And it allowed Turner to gain a level of fame. Editor: It’s a scene that’s so unassuming. Its power comes from the way it captures a fleeting moment, don't you think? Curator: Yes, but it is important to look at the society of the time and how that moment was influenced by trends. Editor: That’s a fine point. I will definitely see the artwork differently now.