Composition, View of a Town with Trees 

Editor: This is Richard Wilson's "Composition, View of a Town with Trees," a small drawing from the Tate. The charcoal feels very immediate, capturing a sense of place. What do you see in it? Curator: Let's consider the availability of charcoal in 18th century England. Was it mass-produced, or locally sourced? This would inform the artist's process. Did Wilson prioritize readily available materials over, say, imported chalk? Editor: That's a great point! It makes me consider how the artist's choices were shaped by the materials at hand and their social implications. Curator: Exactly! Thinking about the means of production opens up a whole new understanding. Editor: Thanks, I learned a lot from your perspective!