The Mediterranean at Cassis 1886

Editor: Here we have Dodge Macknight's watercolor, "The Mediterranean at Cassis". It has this lovely, sun-drenched feel. What do you see in this piece, in terms of its historical context? Curator: It’s interesting to consider how Cassis, like many Mediterranean locales, became a haven for artists seeking an escape from industrialization and urban life. How do you think this image speaks to that phenomenon? Editor: Well, the focus seems to be on the quiet, everyday beauty, away from any hint of industry or city life. Curator: Precisely! It presents a constructed image of leisure. The artist is also making a statement about what is considered "art worthy" and what deserves to be immortalized in a painting. What do you make of that? Editor: It's a bit of a statement about valuing simple, natural beauty, perhaps? Curator: Exactly. And it asks us to consider who gets to define that beauty and whose stories are being told. Editor: That's fascinating. I'll definitely think about that aspect of the painting from now on.