Rocks on the Shore c. 1880 - 1890

Editor: This is William Trost Richards' "Rocks on the Shore," a watercolor landscape, currently at the Harvard Art Museums. The rocks are so sharply rendered, and the water, though beautiful, seems almost secondary. What strikes you about his technique? Curator: Richards' meticulousness reveals a profound understanding of geological formation and the labor involved in representing it. Notice how the stratification of the rocks becomes almost sculptural; it's about material presence, not just picturesque scenery. Editor: So, it's about highlighting the physical properties? Curator: Exactly. The watercolor, typically fluid, becomes a tool for defining mass and texture. This challenges our perception of landscape as simply a vista, urging us to consider the concrete realities of geological processes and their representation. Editor: That gives me a completely different perspective on it. Thanks!