The Lake of Nemi 

Curator: This is Alexander Cozens' "The Lake of Nemi," part of the Tate collection. Editor: It feels so immediate, almost dreamlike. The sepia ink gives it an air of faded memory. Curator: Cozens was renowned for his "blot" technique, using abstract ink washes to stimulate the imagination. The lake becomes a canvas for psychological projection. Editor: I see the picturesque ideal, but also the shadow of class structures, where the landed gentry could contemplate sublime nature while others toiled. That's always present in these landscapes for me. Curator: Absolutely, and the imagery can be seen as a symbolic landscape, reflecting social and political realities. The ruined structures speak to cycles of power. Editor: It's a reminder that even the most serene landscapes are never truly neutral. I find that incredibly powerful. Curator: Yes, Cozens's ability to evoke such depth with minimal means still resonates today.