Poet And Satyrs c. 1890 - 1895

Gustave Moreau created this mysterious watercolor, *Poet and Satyrs*, employing techniques that allowed for detailed intricacy. Moreau worked in thin washes, building up layer upon layer to create a luminous effect. Look closely, and you'll see how the absorbent paper allows for soft edges, blurring the distinction between form and background. The artist mixed dry and wet media, with touches of gouache that add opacity and contrast to the translucent watercolor washes. But what does this have to do with labor and class? Well, the painstaking work is a clue. Watercolor was often associated with amateur artistry, especially by women of leisure. By embracing this medium, Moreau signals a deliberate departure from the grand, masculine style of academic painting. He seems to be almost playfully deconstructing hierarchies, turning a modest material to ambitious ends.