The Island of Moorea Looking across the Strait from Tahiti, January 1891 1891

John La Farge made this watercolor painting, "The Island of Moorea," in January 1891, likely en plein air, or outdoors. The hazy scene is brought to life through the fluid, translucent nature of watercolor paints. The paper support itself becomes an active component, its warm tone peeking through thin washes of blues, greens, and pinks. Look at the way La Farge uses these properties to capture the atmospheric perspective, the way colors fade and forms soften into the distance. Watercolors were often seen as preliminary sketches, studies for more "finished" works in oil. But La Farge, along with other artists of his time, elevated watercolor to a medium of serious artistic expression. This shift reflected a broader interest in capturing fleeting moments and sensory experiences, and also a democratization of art-making as the materials became more affordable and accessible. So, as you consider La Farge’s delicate washes of color, remember that the choice of material and the act of painting itself are key to understanding the work’s evocative power. By embracing watercolor, La Farge challenged conventional hierarchies and demonstrated the expressive potential of this humble medium.