Mount Athos, 1904 (from Sketchbook) 1904

Mary Newbold Sargent captured Mount Athos in this watercolor sketch in 1904. The limited palette focuses on tones and values, which, for me, is less about the final image and more about the art-making as a process. Look at how the wash creates the sky’s atmosphere, light and airy, contrasting with the darker, more defined mountains. The strokes in the water are fluid, reflecting a sense of movement. Note the texture that emerges from the paper grain interacting with the watercolor, particularly along the mountain edges. It's almost as if the mountain is dissolving back into the landscape. This area resonates with the entire piece, a gentle reminder of nature’s transient beauty. Sargent’s approach reminds me of the tonalist painters, like James McNeill Whistler, who prioritize mood and atmosphere. Like many great works of art, this watercolor invites us to pause, breathe, and find beauty in simplicity.