Sketch for ‘Eel Pots at Goring’ c. 1843

Editor: William James Müller's watercolour, 'Sketch for ‘Eel Pots at Goring’’, is a fascinating depiction of rural life. The eel pots themselves are rendered so meticulously! What do you make of the piece? Curator: Notice how Müller meticulously depicts the tools of labor—the eel pots—elevating them from mere objects to subjects worthy of artistic attention. The materiality of the watercolor itself, the way it captures light and texture, underscores the labor-intensive process of both fishing and art-making. Editor: That's a great point; I hadn't considered the connection between the artist's labor and the fisherman's. Curator: It invites us to consider the social context of artistic production and consumption. This is not just a pretty picture; it's a glimpse into the lives of working people and the material conditions of their existence. What did you take away from our discussion? Editor: I’ll never look at a landscape the same way again! Thanks.