Plate 7 c. 1785

Curator: Looking at Plate 7 by Alexander Cozens feels like gazing into a dense thicket, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, and what strikes me immediately is the stark contrast, the way the black ink pushes forward almost aggressively against the blank space. It’s dramatic. Curator: Cozens, born in 1717, was known for his unique methods, he'd create abstract blots and then develop landscapes from those forms. It was all about unlocking the imagination. Editor: Interesting. The blot becomes the seed. I see, perhaps, a kind of Rorschach test for landscapes. The viewer projects meaning and memories onto these shadowy masses. Curator: Exactly! He believed that these 'blots' could bypass our preconceived notions and tap into a deeper, more primal connection to nature. Think of the symbolism of darkness and light! Editor: It is compelling. Like looking at the world filtered through our subconscious. It reminds me that even the simplest image can hold profound depths. Curator: It really does, a testament to the power of suggestion and artistic innovation.