Recollection. Barden Fells 1866

Editor: So, this is John William Inchbold's "Recollection. Barden Fells." It's quite small, painted on what looks like a thin support. I'm struck by how the sunset's colours reflect in the water, almost obscuring the landscape. What's your take on it? Curator: Considering Inchbold’s historical context, it's vital to examine the economic forces driving landscape painting at the time. Was he responding to the increasing industrialization of Britain by depicting an idealized rural scene, a commodity for an urban consumer? And how does the scale influence our understanding of its purpose? Editor: That's a good point. The small size does suggest it could be something for personal contemplation or display, rather than a grand statement. Curator: Exactly. The materiality of the painting, the very pigments he chose and how they were applied, speaks to a specific process. Consider the rapid brushstrokes versus the scene depicted. Are they at odds? Editor: I never thought about it that way. So, by looking at the materials, we can see how it reflects the context of the time? Curator: Precisely! Examining the piece through its production reveals much about its relationship to society.