Venice 

Editor: This watercolor by William James Müller, titled "Venice," captures a bustling harbor scene. There’s a dreamlike quality to it, with the buildings dissolving into the sky. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s a fascinating depiction. Consider the gondolas, the primary mode of transport. They speak to Venice’s history as a powerful maritime republic, a crossroads of trade and cultural exchange. Notice how the light and shadow play on the architecture. What symbolic meanings do you think the buildings may convey? Editor: I hadn't considered the buildings as symbolic. Curator: They reflect Venice’s layered history, hinting at Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance influences, each carrying cultural memory. Perhaps Müller captures the city's fading glory, its reflection shimmering on the water’s surface. Editor: Seeing it that way makes the painting much more powerful and resonant. Thank you!