The Simplon 1911

John Singer Sargent made this watercolor painting, The Simplon, at an unknown date, using watercolor. The magic of watercolor lies in its fluidity. Sargent masterfully exploits this, allowing the paint to flow across the paper, creating soft, blended textures that evoke the misty atmosphere of the Simplon Pass. Think about the way the colors bleed into one another, mimicking the natural blending of light and shadow in the landscape. The quick, confident brushstrokes suggest Sargent worked en plein air, capturing the scene in real time. This immediacy is crucial, as it reflects the changing conditions of nature – the fleeting light, the movement of water, the rustling of leaves. In a way, Sargent is collaborating with the landscape itself, allowing the inherent qualities of watercolor to mimic the ephemeral qualities of nature. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can fully appreciate Sargent's artistry, recognizing that his technical skill is inseparable from his sensitivity to the natural world.