The Simplon. Large Rocks 

John Singer Sargent made this watercolor, Large Rocks, or The Simplon, using paper and pigments suspended in water. Looking closely, we can see how the watery quality of the medium has influenced the appearance of the work. The textures are soft, the colors bled together, and the light reflects off the surface, creating a sense of atmosphere. In watercolor painting, the artist must work quickly, embracing its inherent fluidity and accepting its element of chance. In this way, watercolor has often been associated with immediacy and leisure, a way for artists to quickly capture a scene, often en plein air, which is French for “in the open air”. This contrasts with the traditional medium of oil paint that requires a studio environment and a highly skilled, laborious process. Here, Sargent engages with the history of creative practices outside of the fine arts. The work presents an informal aesthetic, challenging the traditional distinctions between art and craft. Through his choice of materials, Sargent invites us to consider the importance of making, the materials, and the context in understanding the full meaning of the work.