Arabs Resting 1817 - 1870

Eugenio Lucas made this watercolor and gouache painting, Arabs Resting, sometime in the mid-19th century. Watercolors have a reputation as a beginner's medium, but the great artists understand the power of its fluidity and luminosity. Here, Lucas uses it to great effect. The washes of color are quickly applied, giving the scene a hazy, dreamlike quality. Gouache, an opaque watercolor, adds body and depth. Note the texture of the paper itself. It is not perfectly smooth, which allows the pigment to settle into the valleys and create subtle variations in tone. The artist's hand is evident in every stroke; you can almost feel the speed and energy with which he worked. But of course, this apparent spontaneity is deceptive. Lucas knew exactly what he was doing, and the result is a masterly example of watercolor technique. Paying attention to the materials and making of this painting enriches our experience of it, reminding us that art is not just about what is depicted, but also about how it is made.