Unfinished drawing of two men sailing 1987

Curator: This unfinished watercolor and pencil drawing, appropriately titled "Unfinished drawing of two men sailing," was created by Edwin Austin Abbey in 1987. The materials themselves tell a story about process. Editor: It's hauntingly serene, like a half-remembered dream of a day at sea. One figure sharply rendered, the other fading into the ether of pure potential. The textures alone invite pondering what exactly draws these individuals into this partnership. Curator: Right, let’s dive into that potential. Note the underpainting, especially in the rendering of the sea and sky – loose washes suggesting atmosphere more than fixed place. What does that convey about his methods of creation and artistic labor, as he returns repeatedly to motifs surrounding leisurely nautical pursuits? Editor: A tension, perhaps, between the desire to capture fleeting moments and the laborious process of committing them to paper. The contrast between the fully realized figure and the sketch of the other, suggests an internal dialogue, where does one apply our focus in the daily tasks of labour or even art making. Curator: Indeed. And consider the social context: late 19th century maritime scenes and nautical paintings romanticized adventure, commerce, conquest and, in other depictions, back breaking labor to establish an identity of progress. Editor: Absolutely! And it makes one consider the unfinished boat itself—is that life, the journey towards something definite? Even the one seemingly grounded sailor perched on the stern remains still upon the canvas, but without direction. This unfinished, subtle dance gets to something essential, it hints at humanity’s endless aspiration and potential through materials themselves! Curator: A fascinating reflection—that process of creating and analyzing offers potential for us as much as the artwork's incomplete condition allowed it here. Editor: Precisely, like the half-formed image here, our perspectives on its value continue to evolve, shaped by the interplay of object and our consciousness!