A Waterfall c. 1910

Curator: Let's turn our attention now to John Singer Sargent's evocative landscape, "A Waterfall," dating from around 1910. He was an American expat, renowned for portraiture, but late in his career he turned more to landscapes, often painted en plein air. Editor: Ah, right away, I'm transported! It feels… powerful but intimate, like a secret, thundering embrace hidden away. The light in the middle... dreamy. Curator: That light, you see, is a really interesting choice. It guides the eye directly into the chasm where the waterfall appears. We have to consider how Sargent’s earlier works, his portraits, solidified his fame. These established not only his technical ability but also his artistic license—that freedom to pursue personal explorations later in life. Editor: Exactly! It is freeing, isn't it? The brushwork feels so immediate, gestural, like he's just grabbed the essence of the place, the water practically vibrates off the canvas. It almost gives off a sense of temporality, like you’ve got to catch it before it's gone! Did this painting make a big splash when it came out? Curator: Its reception was steady but nuanced. Consider the art market context—around 1910, the art world's gaze had begun to shift away from Impressionism, looking toward Modernist developments. Yet, his works commanded considerable sums from patrons eager to associate themselves with his well-established social standing and celebrity. It ensured he had patrons, although maybe he didn’t get all the critical respect some wanted to see him have. Editor: Interesting how even landscapes become products of that social landscape, huh? I see his approach, capturing that ephemeral moment. What grabs me most is that it’s not perfect realism. Curator: And his technique, using watercolor and oil to such advantage! Consider this shift a symptom of privilege, freedom from commercial constraints giving him latitude for creativity outside his portraits and allowing him the freedom for creative and experimental styles such as this waterfall painting! Editor: Totally! You almost feel the mist on your face. Thinking of celebrity artists shifting gears makes me feel better about my own scatterbrain pursuits! It seems that context shapes both the artist's journey and our response to the art. Curator: Exactly. The play of patronage, shifting movements and Sargent’s privilege shape and mold what gets done! Thanks for joining us in appreciating this piece by Sargent! Editor: Likewise, thanks! I will think twice about jumping behind a canvas now and trying a painting in that Impressionist landscape fashion, and also taking a closer look at his art historical impact on other modern-day landscape works!