Camp and Waterfall 1916

John Singer Sargent painted ‘Camp and Waterfall’ in watercolor, a medium known for its portability and immediacy. The loose washes of color perfectly suit the subject – a transient campsite against the backdrop of a monumental waterfall. Notice how Sargent allows the white of the paper to shine through, creating a sense of light and air. The quick, confident brushstrokes suggest that this was painted *en plein air*, capturing a fleeting moment in nature. But what does it mean to depict this scene? Sargent was part of a privileged class, able to afford leisure time and travel. The painting speaks to a culture of exploration and appreciation of the wilderness, one that was rapidly changing the landscape through tourism and development. By focusing on the simple materials of the camp, Sargent invites us to consider our own relationship to nature, and the impact of our presence within it. It’s a reminder that even the most spontaneous-seeming artworks are rooted in material conditions and social context.