Alligators 1917

John Singer Sargent’s watercolor "Alligators" presents these swampy reptiles with a lively, almost casual touch. The earthy palette of browns, grays, and blues, all washed together, gives a sense of the humid, murky environment. There is a feeling of process, of watching Sargent work through the depiction of each creature to understand its shape and texture. The loose washes of color create the alligator's scales, while the drips around the edges of the paper suggest the watery landscape they inhabit. See how the cool blues in the foreground contrast with the warmer tones of the alligators’ backs? This creates depth, pulling us into the scene. The paint is thin and transparent, allowing the white of the paper to shine through, giving the whole piece a sense of light and air. It’s hard to say what exactly he was thinking, but I am reminded of Winslow Homer’s watercolors, with a similar embrace of spontaneity and light. Sargent is not just painting alligators; he's capturing a fleeting moment, an impression of life in the swamp.