Potsdam mit Garnisonskirche 1934

Philipp Franck made this watercolor painting of Potsdam and its Garrison Church. Watercolors demand a certain kind of virtuosity and careful planning, especially in this period. Washes of diluted pigment are laid down in transparent layers. This creates luminous effects, but offers little room for error. Here, Franck captured a bustling cityscape. Note the industrial buildings with their towering smokestacks, symbols of progress. Look how the soft washes of color give the scene a hazy, dreamlike quality. Consider, too, how this choice of medium shapes the image's social context. Watercolor, known for its portability and relative affordability, was often favored by amateur artists and those documenting everyday life. Franck elevated this unassuming medium, using it to reflect on the changing face of Potsdam. He highlights the importance of considering materials and process when interpreting art.