Lycia: The Rocky Stair at Tlos 1844

Editor: Here we have William James Müller's watercolour, "Lycia: The Rocky Stair at Tlos." The stark, almost monumental rocks immediately grab my attention. What do you make of it? Curator: I see a confluence of geological processes and human labor. Notice how Müller meticulously renders the stratified rock, highlighting the very material of the landscape. Consider also the labor involved in carving those stairs. Editor: So, the stairs aren't just architectural; they're a testament to human interaction with the earth? Curator: Precisely. It challenges the romantic ideal of untouched nature. The work blurs the line between natural formation and human intervention. Editor: I never thought of it that way. It definitely gives me a new appreciation for the piece. Curator: Indeed, seeing the landscape as a product of both nature and human endeavor offers us a richer understanding.