Saint Jerome, with Saints Christopher and Louis of Toulouse, after Bellini 1889

Curator: This watercolor, "Saint Jerome, with Saints Christopher and Louis of Toulouse, after Bellini," really strikes me with its somber mood, almost like a faded memory rendered in soft hues. Editor: The layering of watercolor is quite evident here. Note the varying textures; it's not just paint, but labor made visible. I wonder about Smith's choice of this medium to re-interpret Bellini. Curator: Considering Bellini’s original context, how might Smith be reflecting on the power dynamics inherent in religious iconography, especially through this re-presentation? Editor: Perhaps the use of watercolor, less permanent than oil, signifies a questioning of lasting authority. It's a deliberate choice that alters the viewer's relationship to the subject. Curator: It certainly invites a contemporary lens to examine notions of faith and representation. Editor: Absolutely, it's about how the materials themselves contribute to the evolving dialogue around those narratives.