Solitude c. 19th century

Editor: This is Turner’s “Solitude,” a pen and ink drawing. The delicate lines create such a peaceful scene. What stands out to you? Curator: Look closely at the paper itself. How does its production—the pulping, the pressing—influence the final work? Consider the availability of materials at the time. This wasn’t mass-produced, cheap paper. It speaks to Turner's access and position. Editor: So the paper itself becomes part of the story? Curator: Absolutely. And think about the ink. What pigments were used? How did those sources shape the drawing’s aesthetic and its relationship to the natural world depicted? Editor: I hadn't thought about the sourcing of materials at all. It adds so much depth.