Mangonui 1955

Rita Angus made this watercolor, "Mangonui," probably en plein air, sometime in the mid-20th century. Watercolor is all about process, right? You can see how the paint moves and blends. Mistakes happen, but you just have to go with it. Looking at this work, the thin, transparent washes create a luminous effect, especially in the water, where the colors subtly shift. She doesn't try to hide the brushstrokes; instead, they become part of the image. Notice how the quick, light touches suggest the movement of the clouds and the ripples on the water. It’s interesting how these loose gestures still manage to capture the specific feel of the place. For me, this piece speaks to the legacy of artists like Cezanne, who used watercolor to explore the structure of landscape. You can see how Angus takes inspiration from this tradition, making the painting her own through the eyes of a New Zealander. Art's just one big conversation, always changing and flowing, don't you think?