The Great Hall, Haddon 1832

David Cox created "The Great Hall, Haddon" using watercolor, a medium known for its fluidity and transparency. The choice of watercolor adds to the airy atmosphere and soft light within the hall. Now, think about the labor involved in the hall itself. The stone floor and wood paneling, precisely rendered, speak to the work of numerous unseen hands: quarrymen, carpenters, glaziers. Each craftsman contributed to the aesthetic, from the rough-hewn stones to the smooth paneling. The regularity of the paneling suggests a pre-industrial process, with each piece carefully shaped, reflecting social hierarchies where craftsmanship and skilled labor were highly valued. Cox's loose brushwork and limited palette evoke a sense of timelessness, yet also acknowledge the amount of time and labor needed to erect and maintain such a grand interior. By considering the materials and the craftsmanship, we see how art blurs into craft and design.