[inscriptions not by Turner] 

Editor: This tiny piece by Philip James De Loutherbourg, entitled "[inscriptions not by Turner]", is surprisingly quiet. At just 80 x 111 mm, it's like holding a secret. Curator: Indeed. The visual weight is almost entirely in the calligraphy; its elegant flourishes command the composition. Editor: I find myself wondering about the labour involved in crafting these precise inscriptions. Was it a task of meticulous skill or more of a standardized bureaucratic process? Curator: The calligraphic style possesses an undeniable aesthetic quality. Consider the negative space surrounding the marks; it’s as crucial to the artwork’s visual balance as the inscriptions themselves. Editor: Perhaps it’s both. The act of writing, the materiality of ink on paper, holds a certain value regardless of its purpose. Curator: I agree, and the placement of these inscriptions creates a visual tension that is really interesting. Editor: It’s prompted me to consider the role of writing as both art and document, blurring those boundaries. Curator: An astute observation, one that enriches our understanding of the image considerably.