Villa Torlonia Fountain 1907

John Singer Sargent created this watercolor painting, Villa Torlonia Fountain, during one of his trips to Italy. Look at how Sargent conjures the atmosphere using soft washes and broken brushstrokes; he seems to be less interested in portraying the fountain with accuracy than in giving us a sense of place. The dark greens and blues that describe the trees contrast beautifully with the ochre and cream tones of the path, creating a sense of depth. Sargent uses very diluted paint so that the white of the paper shines through in areas to create highlights. The way he applies the watercolor is so fluid and transparent. It’s like he's capturing a fleeting moment rather than a solid, fixed scene. Notice how the dark greens in the upper half of the painting gradually lighten as they descend, giving the impression of light filtering through the leaves. I wonder if Turner's atmospheric landscapes may have influenced this piece? Ultimately, paintings like this remind us that art is less about showing things exactly as they are and more about suggesting different ways of seeing and experiencing the world.