Parmelee Garden c. 1920

Curator: This watercolor painting, entitled "Parmelee Garden," was completed around 1920 by Dora Louise Murdoch. Editor: It evokes such a hazy, idyllic mood. The loose brushstrokes and muted greens really give the impression of a humid summer day. Curator: Murdoch was quite active in art circles; she studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. She was involved in groups that supported plein-air painting. That explains this piece, and the other genre paintings she produced. They have very interesting historical importance because we can study middle-class leisure activity from this time. Editor: It’s also intriguing to see how she built up the layers of watercolor, allowing the white of the paper to peek through and create highlights. Note her use of hatching and cross-hatching to suggest textures and volume. She clearly had a strong grasp of the materials, it makes it clear the work was grounded in the processes involved in actually doing it. Curator: It's interesting how Murdoch uses this, but also the layout to define what we are seeing and its symbolic function. Look at the formality, yet also natural presentation of the garden and lawn which reflect very specific class codes for presentation of gender, class, and taste in early twentieth century life. Editor: Absolutely, and how that controlled environment reflects a desire to bring order and, dare I say, to standardize something as organic as nature. It almost borders on the unsettling. But ultimately it's a lovely presentation. What makes this garden—or the work? Curator: In this instance it's both. Thanks, this really clarifies Murdoch's painting in context and it provides interesting insights for me and other historical curators. Editor: Likewise! Analyzing how an artist grapples with form, material, and content enhances our appreciation and challenges conventional wisdom around her practices.