Study of Willows 

Curator: Here we have William James Müller’s "Study of Willows," held at the Tate. It’s a delicate drawing, measuring about 25 by 32 centimeters. Editor: It feels unfinished, almost ghostly. The charcoal is so light, wispy—like the trees themselves are exhaling into the atmosphere. Curator: Exactly. Müller, who lived from 1812 to 1845, captures the willows in motion. Notice the strategic use of line, how it suggests the wind's force. Editor: The negative space is equally important, creating a sense of depth and highlighting the contrast between solid form and ephemeral energy. There's a romantic yearning here. Curator: I agree. It's a study, a fleeting impression. He’s not just recording what he sees but how it makes him feel. Editor: It’s quite moving, actually. In a few lines, Müller manages to evoke an entire landscape—and a mood. Curator: Yes, a lovely, fleeting moment captured in charcoal.