Tivoli, Cascatelle 1778

Editor: Here we have Jacob More's "Tivoli, Cascatelle," a watercolor from the late 18th century, housed at the Tate. The overall feeling is one of a carefully arranged scene, almost a stage. What symbols do you find particularly striking? Curator: Consider the placement of the figures. They are dwarfed by the sublime power of the waterfalls, yet they actively engage with the fallen tree, suggesting a narrative of human intervention within a grand, pre-existing landscape. Does that dynamic resonate with you? Editor: It does, the way humans and nature interact. I'm also drawn to how the architecture atop the cliffs contrasts with the untamed cascades. Curator: Precisely. The architecture represents order and civilization, while the cascading water embodies nature's raw energy. This tension speaks to the enduring human desire to understand and control the natural world, and its futility. What do you make of it? Editor: Seeing those layers of meaning makes it much more interesting. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure, and the pleasure of art, which is to see a world in a drop of water.