Apple c. 1865 - 1867

Curator: Charles Herbert gives us "Apple", a watercolor around 20 by 29 centimeters. What's your first impression? Editor: It makes me think of autumn, almost a melancholy stillness to it. Like the last apple of the season sitting on a windowsill. Curator: Observe how Herbert uses delicate washes to build form, achieving volume and texture. The apple is a study in gradations of green and gold. Editor: Yes, there is such a quiet intensity to the observation, it makes you consider the beauty in the everyday, the overlooked. Curator: It is a testament to the potential for even the most humble subject to become a vehicle for artistic expression, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely. It makes me want to bite into it and remember the fleeting sweetness of things. Curator: Indeed, quite the sensory experience embedded in a simple fruit. Editor: I’ll never look at an apple the same way again.