Splendid Mountain Watercolours Sketchbook – Cover 2 1870

John Singer Sargent made this watercolor sketchbook cover in 1870. The scene depicts a humble mountain village nestled beneath towering peaks. Sargent's choice of subject reveals much about the cultural context of his time. During the late 19th century, the European Alps became a popular destination for wealthy tourists seeking picturesque landscapes and an escape from urban life. The rise of tourism transformed remote villages like this one, impacting their economies and social structures. Note how the artist juxtaposes the rustic simplicity of the wooden chalets with the grandeur of the natural surroundings. Are these buildings hotels, or something more modest? To understand Sargent's work fully, we can explore travel literature, tourist guides, and social histories of the Alps, gaining insight into the complex relationship between landscape, tourism, and local communities. By examining these sources, we can appreciate how artists like Sargent both reflected and shaped the cultural perceptions of their time.