Lanherne Bay near the Nunnery, Cornwall 1819

Curator: We’re looking at "Lanherne Bay near the Nunnery, Cornwall," a watercolor by William Henry Brooke. It resides in the Tate Collections. Editor: It feels… wistful. The muted palette, the way the land just kind of melts into the sea. Very understated, almost shy. Curator: Brooke really captures the topography here, doesn't he? The repeating diagonals of the fields contrasted by those soft, rounded hills. Editor: Yes, and the composition leads the eye along those winding paths, right out to the horizon. It’s cleverly structured. It's the kind of place where you could go to escape and think. It feels meditative. Curator: Exactly! It’s a simple scene, almost dreamlike. Perhaps Brooke found a certain peace here, or a sense of wonder, a sense of place. Editor: It's a testament to the artist's ability to evoke so much with such subtle means. I find it quite moving, this unassuming beauty.