Lesson Study on Jersey Coast 1881

Editor: This is "Lesson Study on Jersey Coast" by John La Farge, created around 1881 using watercolors, possibly en plein air. The scene is overwhelmingly dominated by gray—a moody sky over a dark, almost churning sea. What do you see in this piece beyond the immediate landscape? Curator: I see a yearning, and perhaps a critique, embedded in La Farge’s choice of subject and style. The late 19th century saw rapid industrialization. Consider this seemingly simple landscape as a response, or even resistance, to that shift. The focus on the raw power and sublime indifference of nature challenges the values of progress and control that were becoming so dominant. Editor: That's interesting, the idea of resistance through landscape. Is the 'lesson study' part of the title significant in this context? Curator: Absolutely. "Study" implies observation, and the act of learning *from* nature. But it’s also suggestive of limitations. La Farge offers a ‘lesson,’ but perhaps the real lesson is the inadequacy of human attempts to fully grasp the natural world. The sky isn't a pretty blue, it's a canvas of complex emotions. Who are we to assume to 'study' and thus understand it? What are we doing to this Jersey Coast in our search for 'understanding'? Editor: So it’s less about mastering nature and more about acknowledging its immensity and power? It feels like a political statement about our place in the world. Curator: Precisely. It calls for a renewed respect, a sort of ecological humility that resonates powerfully today, doesn't it? Perhaps we need to "study" the lessons La Farge implies if we are to undo our exploitation of our landscape. Editor: I hadn't considered the painting in that way before, but your interpretation really reframes it. Thank you. Curator: It’s a privilege to see art sparking these connections and inspiring new conversations. I learned so much from our chat today.