Trees near a Lake or River at Twilight 1797

Thomas Girtin made this watercolor painting of trees near a river, around the turn of the 19th century. With simple materials – paper, pigment, water, and brush – Girtin achieved a remarkable sense of atmosphere. The way he manipulates the medium is key to the image's effect, isn't it? Notice how the washes of color bleed softly into one another, especially in the sky. This was achieved with a 'wet-on-wet' technique, applying new color to already damp paper. Girtin was deeply involved in the art market of his time, and was one of the first watercolorists to achieve real fame. He was incredibly prolific. This reminds us that even landscape painting is a form of production. Materials, technique, and the market all played a part in how this image came to be. By appreciating these factors, we gain a fuller understanding of the artwork itself.