Nice, La Promenade Des Anglais 

Paul Signac painted this watercolor view of the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, using quick, diluted strokes. The transparent nature of watercolor allows the white of the paper to shine through, creating a sense of light and air. Signac, working en plein air, takes advantage of this quality, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of the French Riviera with washes of pink, blue, and yellow. The immediacy of the medium lends itself to capturing a fleeting moment, a snapshot of leisure and tourism. However, the visible brushstrokes also remind us of the artist’s hand and labor. Watercolor, often seen as a preliminary or amateur medium, is elevated here. Signac demonstrates its potential for capturing both the beauty and the social dynamics of a particular place, and the value we assign to art shouldn't just be about the subject, but also about the artist's labor and skill.