From Bordighera; a Seascape 

Editor: Here we have Hercules Brabazon Brabazon’s watercolor, "From Bordighera; a Seascape." The washes of color are so fluid. What do you see in terms of the artistic process? Curator: Look at the materiality of the pigments. The way Brabazon handled the watercolor – so freely, so seemingly effortless – speaks to the rise of leisure and the commodification of travel in the 19th century. Editor: Commodification? Curator: Yes, Bordighera became a tourist destination for the British upper class. These quick watercolors were both a product of and a tool for experiencing that leisure. It's about capturing a moment for later consumption. Editor: That’s interesting. I hadn't considered the social context. Curator: The materiality and process give us insight into the economic and social forces at play. Editor: Thanks, I learned a lot!