[title not known] 1803 - 1805

Curator: This delicate pencil sketch, currently untitled, is by Joshua Cristall, who lived from 1765 to 1847. It is held in the Tate Collections and measures 94 by 155 millimetres. Editor: Mmm, very faint! It gives me the feeling of something half-remembered or just glimpsed out of the corner of my eye. Like a dream fading as you wake up. Curator: Cristall was known for his watercolour landscapes, often depicting scenes of rural life and coastal views. This sketch offers a glimpse into his process, capturing a scene, perhaps for a larger composition later on. Editor: I see a fortress, or perhaps a fortified harbor wall, and figures in the foreground. It's interesting how the fence-like structure blurs the line between what's enclosed and what's exposed. A little ominous, don't you think? Curator: Certainly, these structures symbolize power and protection, important concepts in British history, particularly maritime power. Editor: It's more fleeting for me, like the artist was trying to catch the vibe of a place rather than its perfect likeness. Curator: Perhaps he succeeded. It makes you wonder about the people, the place, the moment. Editor: Yes. It’s amazing what so little can suggest.