Giudecca 1907

John Singer Sargent captured this scene, Giudecca, with watercolor on paper. I love the way he’s used washes of blues and browns, capturing the light dancing on the water. Imagine Sargent standing there, brush in hand, trying to nail that fleeting moment. Watercolor can be so unforgiving, right? You have to commit, but also be ready to let go. The way the masts of the boats are suggested with just a few strokes – it’s like he’s saying so much with so little. I’m thinking of Turner, and maybe Whistler, too – all these painters chasing after atmosphere and light, trying to pin down something that’s always moving, always changing. Sargent's touch is so light, but he still manages to give us a real sense of place. And that’s the thing about painting, isn’t it? It’s not just about what you see, but how you feel, and how you translate that onto the paper.