A Post-House near Florence c. 1770

Editor: So, here we have William Marlow’s watercolor, "A Post-House near Florence." It feels very much like a scene of transit, doesn't it? What can you tell me about how this image might fit into the wider context of its time? Curator: It’s interesting to consider who had the privilege to travel and document these scenes. Who is Marlow painting this landscape for, and what does that say about the power structures of 18th-century European society? Does the artwork reinforce or challenge those power dynamics? Editor: That's a great point! It seems almost like a romanticized view, maybe lacking a deeper social commentary. Curator: Exactly. Perhaps a study into the patron is needed, what do you think? Editor: Definitely! It’s shifted my understanding completely. Curator: Mine too.