View of Rome, Piazza Navona 

Editor: This watercolor, depicting "View of Rome, Piazza Navona" by Enrico Nardi, captures the hustle and bustle of city life in muted tones. I’m struck by the detail of the buildings. What is particularly compelling for you? Curator: I’m immediately drawn to the material conditions surrounding the creation of this artwork. Consider the artist’s access to and skillful use of watercolor – a medium often associated with preparatory sketches or amateur practice, yet capable of great subtlety and detail. Was this painting commissioned, or created for sale? Who would have had access to works such as these, and how does its existence reflect their values? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn’t considered who would have bought or seen it originally. So, by looking at the materials and the market, we learn more about its cultural value? Curator: Precisely. The buildings, crafted from stone, dictate how Nardi can then portray the structure itself. You can observe in this watercolor the division of labor of masons, plasterers, and painters that literally make up what is possible within this work. Editor: So it’s about how materials—the buildings themselves, the watercolors used— reflect and shape the social context and labor of their production? It sounds like this picturesque image speaks volumes about material practices and access to artistry. Curator: Indeed. It's easy to admire the scene, but looking deeper, it prompts us to investigate what underpinned its existence – the labour, materials, and markets. Editor: That’s such an insightful way of viewing art. I never thought to analyze the buildings themselves in terms of labor and materials! Thank you for opening my eyes to a fresh perspective.