Sniggling for Eels 

Editor: So, here we have "Sniggling for Eels," by A. Marsingall from the 1800s, housed at the Tate. It's a quaint little watercolour. I’m struck by the detail, especially in the tree’s roots. What pulls you into this piece? Curator: Well, that title, "Sniggling for Eels," it's just wonderfully evocative! It makes me think of secret, almost forbidden rural pastimes. The image itself, though small, feels expansive, doesn't it? Like a stolen moment by the water. It's as if Marsingall is inviting us to share in their quiet observation. I wonder, what do you imagine they were feeling while creating this? Editor: Hmm, maybe a sense of peaceful solitude? Curator: Precisely! Or perhaps even a touch of mischief. A quiet smile as they capture this fleeting scene. Editor: It definitely makes you wonder about their life and the stories they could tell. Thanks!