Grand Canal, Rialto, Venice 1924

James McBey made this watercolour of the Grand Canal in Venice at some point, and what grabs me is the sheer lightness of it all. The buildings and bridge are mere suggestions, really, sketched in with such a delicate touch. Look closely at the water. It’s not just blue; there’s a whole spectrum of greens and grays, all shimmering together. You can almost feel the humidity, the way the light bounces off the water’s surface. He’s managed to capture the essence of Venice, that dreamy, watery world, with just a few strokes of his brush. Notice how the gondola in the foreground is more defined, anchoring the scene, while the background fades into a hazy distance. It reminds me a little of Whistler, that same interest in capturing a mood, a fleeting moment. And, like Whistler, McBey understands that art isn’t about perfect representation; it’s about feeling, about creating a space for the viewer to get lost in.