Corfu; Cypresses 1909

John Singer Sargent painted these Cypresses in Corfu using watercolour, and what strikes me is the sheer joy he takes in the process. The paint is applied thinly, transparently, allowing the white of the paper to shine through, creating a luminous effect. You can see the individual brushstrokes, dabs, and washes that build up the forms. Look at how he suggests the texture of the foliage with quick, energetic marks, or the way he captures the light on the water with broad strokes of blue. It’s almost like he’s trying to capture the essence of the place rather than a literal depiction. The way Sargent handles the paint reminds me a little of Cezanne, who was also interested in breaking down forms into their constituent parts. But while Cezanne could be quite analytical, Sargent seems more intuitive, more interested in capturing the fleeting impressions of a moment. For me, it’s a reminder that art is as much about the process as it is about the final product.