Liberation and Battle of France: The Fall of the Arsenal at Cherbourg 1944

Editor: This is Anthony Gross's "Liberation and Battle of France: The Fall of the Arsenal at Cherbourg," it is undated. I'm struck by the looseness of the line work, especially given the subject matter. What do you see here? Curator: Considering Gross's role as a war artist, the materials and process speak volumes. The relatively quick medium, watercolor, suggests a need for on-the-spot documentation. How does this immediacy shape our understanding of the conflict? Editor: So the medium reflects the urgency of the subject? Curator: Exactly. Furthermore, watercolor was easily transportable and would allow the artist to record in real time. And notice how it almost obscures and blends the subject, like a hazy memory. What do you make of that? Editor: I never considered that watercolor could be so… intentional. Thanks! Curator: And I see the impact of process so clearly now, too!