Cloudscape with Colour Trials c. 1795

Curator: Here at the Tate, we have Thomas Kerrich's "Cloudscape with Colour Trials." Kerrich, who lived from 1748 to 1828, captured this scene on a support measuring 195 by 120 mm. Editor: It feels like a breath of fresh air, quite literally. The colours are soft, almost pastel-like. I imagine standing in a field, craning my neck to watch the clouds drift by. Curator: The work is particularly interesting as it combines observational landscape with explicit colour trials at the top, a common practice during this period for artists exploring atmospheric effects. Editor: It’s like seeing the artist's process laid bare. The cloudscape is so ethereal, and then you have these bold color swatches, reminding you of the material reality of making art. Curator: Indeed, this piece provides insight into the artistic techniques and experimental nature of landscape painting in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Editor: It's a simple scene, but so evocative. I feel like I've caught a glimpse into Kerrich's mind, a space where nature and art beautifully collide.