The Brook 1907

John Singer Sargent conjured The Brook with oils, building the scene with dabs, dashes, and swirls of paint. I imagine him working en plein air, capturing the fleeting effects of light and shadow. The textures are rich and varied. Look how the brushstrokes create a mosaic of greens, blues, and browns, suggesting the cool, damp atmosphere of the brook. I wonder what Sargent was thinking as he painted those figures. I can almost feel the weight of the girl's head resting against the rocks. The loose brushwork reminds me of Manet, but there's also a distinct touch of Sargent's own bravura handling of paint. Painting is like a conversation. It's amazing how artists across time inspire and influence one another. What do you think?