Harmony in Blue and Silver: Beaching the Boat, Étretat c. 1897

Editor: Here we have James McNeill Whistler's "Harmony in Blue and Silver: Beaching the Boat, Étretat". The small scale and muted tones evoke a sense of quiet labor. What can you tell me about Whistler's process here? Curator: Notice how the thin application of paint allows the materiality of the support to subtly influence the final image. Think of the artist's labor, the physical act of applying pigment to canvas to capture not just a scene, but the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere and the social context of artistic production. Editor: That emphasis on process makes me see the work in a new light! Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! Considering materiality and production truly enriches our understanding.