Crystal Ball 1902

John William Waterhouse painted this image of a woman holding a crystal ball, we don't know when. The way Waterhouse uses thin, transparent layers of paint, kinda reminds you that seeing isn't just about looking, it’s about what you bring to the process. Take the red of her dress. It’s not just one color, but a mix of shades that create depth and movement. It's like he's building up layers of emotion and mystery, stroke by stroke. And that crystal ball? It's not just a prop; it's a focal point where all the textures and colors meet. The way light catches on its surface makes you think about reflection and refraction, about how our perceptions shift depending on the angle. Waterhouse is kinda like the Pre-Raphaelite answer to Symbolism, a little like Gustav Klimt, using historical and mythological subjects as a starting point for exploring our inner worlds. But, ultimately, art isn’t about answers; it’s about asking interesting questions, and leaving space for the viewer to wander and wonder.