Sky and Mountains c. 1909 - 1911

John Singer Sargent made "Sky and Mountains" with watercolour. It's the kind of piece where you can really see the artist thinking, and making decisions as he goes. Look at how the washes of colour bleed into each other, creating soft, undefined edges. It's like Sargent is inviting the water to participate in the painting, letting it do its own thing and embracing the unpredictable nature of the medium. The blues and purples are so subtle and delicate, yet they manage to capture the vastness and grandeur of the landscape. Take a look at the way the clouds are rendered. Each brushstroke feels so light and airy, as if Sargent is trying to capture the ephemeral nature of clouds. You can almost feel the cool mountain air on your skin, and hear the wind whispering through the peaks. It reminds me of work by Emil Nolde in its freedom and use of open space. Ultimately, a painting like this reminds us that art is a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas and influences that stretches across time.