Sunset over a Pond c. 1880

François-Auguste Ravier created this watercolor, Sunset over a Pond, in the 19th century, using pigments that were increasingly industrialized at the time. The hazy, dreamlike effect wasn’t only the result of Ravier's artistic vision; it was also an index of the materials available to him, which he coaxed into representing atmospheric effects. Watercolor is notoriously difficult to control, the opposite of the precise detail you might get in an oil painting. It lends itself to an art of suggestion, of capturing the fleeting impression. During the 1800s, as the Industrial Revolution ramped up, artists had access to new colors and textures, thanks to advances in chemistry and manufacturing. Yet, the hand of the artist, making each stroke, also remained critical. The very speed of watercolor allowed artists like Ravier to respond to the quickly changing world around them. Ultimately, this artwork serves as a reminder that the qualities of the materials and the making process are just as important as the subject matter itself.