The Wise and Foolish Virgins 

Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale made this painting, The Wise and Foolish Virgins, using watercolor on paper. It’s a traditional fine art material, of course, but the way she handles it is really interesting. Fortescue-Brickdale was working at a time when there was a big debate about what painting should be. Should it be about capturing fleeting impressions, like the Impressionists were doing? Or should it be about something more solid and lasting? Fortescue-Brickdale clearly comes down on the side of lasting. Look at how carefully she builds up the layers of watercolor, creating a sense of depth and detail. It’s almost like she’s building a little world, brick by brick. And that’s what gives the painting its power. It’s not just a pretty picture, it’s a statement about the value of hard work, patience, and enduring skill. She invites us to appreciate the value of craft, the beauty of detail, and the satisfaction of a job well done. In doing so, she elevates watercolor to a medium capable of expressing serious artistic intention, just like oil painting or sculpture.