Lake O'Hara 1916

Editor: This is John Singer Sargent's watercolor, *Lake O'Hara*. It's quite small, but the mountains feel so monumental. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The cool palette evokes a sense of serenity, wouldn’t you agree? The mountains loom, serving as symbols of permanence, while the water mirrors their grandeur, speaking to the cyclical nature of existence. Does the contrast resonate with you? Editor: Yes, it does! The reflections almost suggest another world beneath the surface. Curator: Indeed, Sargent captures that liminal space, the threshold between reality and perception, external and internal, creating a moment of contemplation. The mountains become metaphors for the subconscious. Editor: I never would have thought of that. It really changes how I see it. Curator: Visual symbols are powerful tools of communication, connecting us to deeper cultural and psychological meanings, and offering new ways of thinking.