Landscape with Cattle under Trees. Verso: Landscape with Distant Mountains 

Editor: Peter De Wint's "Landscape with Cattle under Trees," a small watercolor piece, gives me a sense of peacefulness and solitude. What do you see in this work, looking at it from a formal perspective? Curator: The composition strikes me first. Notice how the artist divides the space: a dark foreground with grazing cattle leading to progressively lighter tones in the landscape and sky. The trees on the left act as a repoussoir, framing the scene. Editor: So, the arrangement creates depth? Curator: Precisely. Also observe the brushwork. De Wint employs loose, almost gestural strokes, particularly in the foliage and clouds. This imbues the scene with a sense of immediacy and movement. Do you notice any particular shapes? Editor: Now that you mention it, there are strong horizontals: the lines of the hills, the clouds... It emphasizes the feeling of expansive space. Curator: Indeed. And the subtle variations in the washes of color, from the browns and greens to the blues and grays, create a harmonious yet dynamic visual experience. The formal elements truly shape our perception.