Between Roofs (Lighthouse, Belle Ile) Possibly 1891

Curator: Dodge Macknight's watercolor, "Between Roofs (Lighthouse, Belle Ile)," gives us a glimpse into a scene framed by architecture, looking out to the sea. Editor: It feels like peering through a dream, doesn't it? That muted palette and the way the fields seem to vibrate with color... it's oddly calming. Curator: Macknight, an American artist, spent a considerable amount of time in Europe, becoming known for his vibrant landscapes. Belle Ile, in Brittany, France, was a frequent subject. These landscapes were of huge interest to the American market. Editor: It's more than just pretty scenery, though. The way the light hits... there's a sense of yearning, maybe for something just out of reach on the horizon. Like it's not really about the place itself but what it conjures within us. Curator: Absolutely. And, I think, by framing the view as he does, we get a sense of a lived space, an everyday life, rather than just a picturesque vista for the tourist gaze. Editor: Well, it makes me want to grab my paints and chase a similar kind of light myself. Curator: It is an inspiring work, and hopefully allows us to consider a space and time outside our own.