Buckingham House from the Green Park 1825

David Cox created this painting of Buckingham House from the Green Park using watercolor on paper. A relatively democratic medium, watercolor was embraced in Britain at this time. The thin washes of pigment allowed Cox to capture the subtle gradations of light and atmosphere over Buckingham House. Think of the way the sky is rendered, with almost invisible layers of blue. The effect is so delicate, a perfect pairing for the subject matter – the abode of the British monarchy. Cox has applied the watercolor with precision, using fine brushes to depict architectural details and human figures. This meticulous approach conveys a sense of order and refinement, reflecting the values of the society he was portraying. But even with such a grand subject, the materiality of the paint asserts itself. The way the watercolor pools and blends gives the scene a certain liveliness, resisting the staidness of the social hierarchy. This painting shows how even the most traditional materials can be used to offer nuanced observations about labor, class, and social status.