Lake of Como 1781

Editor: Francis Towne's watercolor, Lake of Como, presents a striking scene. The strong light filtering through the mountains creates a somewhat ethereal feel. What symbols or imagery stand out to you? Curator: The light, undeniably. Consider the sun as a symbol of enlightenment, piercing through the solid forms of the mountains. It’s a visual representation of the sublime, a concept popular during Towne's time, where nature inspires awe and a sense of the divine. What emotions does that evoke? Editor: Definitely a sense of the spiritual. It makes me think about how people have used landscape to connect with something bigger than themselves. Curator: Precisely. The very act of portraying this vista carries cultural weight. It reveals a desire to capture and understand nature, imbuing it with symbolic meaning. Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. Thanks, I learned a lot. Curator: My pleasure. It's been insightful for me as well.