Figures seated along an outdoor bench 1992

Edwin Austin Abbey made this watercolor study, ‘Figures Seated Along An Outdoor Bench,’ towards the end of the 19th century. The figures are captured in a fleeting style, with the thin washes of watercolor creating a sense of quick, intuitive work. Compared to oil paint, watercolor can seem like a spontaneous medium, but achieving such fluidity demands great skill. The artist needs to predict how the pigment will flow and settle on the paper. It’s also less easy to rework; changes have to be made on the fly. Abbey has handled it all with aplomb. This medium was often favored for preliminary sketches, which were then scaled up to create ambitious murals and paintings. While this artwork on its own is a beautiful piece, it also serves as a reminder of the artistry and skill involved in the larger scale artworks, and that these processes and material choices often remain hidden from view.