Brenva Glacier 1909

John Singer Sargent made this painting of the Brenva Glacier with oil on canvas. I love how Sargent’s brushstrokes are so visible, it’s like he’s inviting us to witness the making of the painting. The way he builds up the texture, especially in the glacier itself, you can almost feel the cold, rough surface. It’s not just a picture of a landscape, it’s an experience, a process of layering and building that mirrors the glacier’s own formation. Look closely at the roof of the building. Each stroke feels deliberate, a record of a specific moment and a unique way of seeing. The painting reminds me of Courbet, particularly his seascapes, in that they both share a love for texture and a commitment to capturing the raw, untamed beauty of nature. With Sargent, as with any great painting, it's not about answers, but about opening up a space for questions and possibilities.