Study of Trees, Cassis Possibly 1887

Editor: This is Dodge Macknight’s watercolor, *Study of Trees, Cassis*. It’s a landscape, seemingly simple, but the trees have a certain weight and presence. What do you see in how it represents nature? Curator: Well, the seeming simplicity is key. Macknight was working in a period where academic landscape painting was shifting. Consider how the painting *functions* for its audience. Editor: Functions? Curator: Yes, how does it shape our ideas about nature and leisure, how does it reflect the growth of tourism in the South of France? Cassis wasn’t just a place; it was becoming a brand. Editor: So, it's not just about trees; it's about selling an idea of place. I hadn't considered that. Curator: Exactly, and that understanding can really change how we view the art.