Antibes 1882

Henry Victor Burgy made this watercolor painting, Antibes, sometime in the 19th century. The nature of watercolor lends itself to travel, being a portable medium conducive to capturing fleeting impressions of place. Here, the diluted pigments have settled into the fibers of the paper, creating soft gradations of tone and texture. The artist's delicate brushstrokes define the architectural forms and rocky landscape of Antibes, France. But note also the restraint, leaving areas of the paper untouched to represent the bright midday sun, and drawing our attention to the material support itself. The image, though picturesque, also hints at broader social dynamics. This was the era of the “Grand Tour,” when wealthy Europeans traveled for pleasure and self-improvement. Yet, for every tourist with their watercolor set, there were countless workers who built and maintained the sites they visited. While Burgy's painting doesn't explicitly show this labor, we can sense its presence in the built environment he depicts. By considering the materials and context of this work, we gain a richer understanding of its cultural significance.