Saturday Evening Post cover, May 10 1902

This Saturday Evening Post cover from May 1902, by Harrison Fisher, looks to me like it was made with layers of delicate watercolor washes. The way the colors blend and fade, suggests a real understanding of how to build up an image, slowly. There's a lightness to the whole thing, not just in the palette, but in the way the paint seems to float on the surface. Look at the petals scattered around her dress; they’re a frenzy of pink and violet, with soft edges. And the dress itself? It’s like he’s barely touched the paper, letting the color create the form, rather than defining it with hard lines. It is also very beautiful, even if a bit saccharine for today's tastes. Fisher's work reminds me of John Singer Sargent, especially in the way he captures the fleeting quality of light and beauty. But Fisher’s got his own spin, a kind of romantic sweetness that's hard to resist, even if you try. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art can be both beautiful and a little bit silly, all at the same time.