Cliffs on the Shore c. 1880 - 1890

Editor: This watercolor, "Cliffs on the Shore" by William Trost Richards, gives off such a calm and serene vibe. What do you see in this piece, particularly considering its materiality? Curator: Well, the watercolor medium itself speaks volumes. Think about the availability and cost of pigments in the 19th century. The subtle washes suggest both an appreciation for natural beauty and the economic realities shaping artistic choices. Editor: So, the artist's choice of materials reflected the time? Curator: Precisely. And consider the paper. Was it handmade? Machine-made? The surface texture impacts how the watercolor behaves, and can tell us about industrial processes of the time. The scale suggests it could have been done en plein air. Editor: That's fascinating. I never really thought about how materials could be so intertwined with the artwork’s context. Curator: It reveals a whole new dimension, doesn't it? Looking closely at art production unveils layers of cultural and economic information.