Facade of a Palazzo c. 1915

Rhodes Robertson made this facade of a palazzo with watercolor, and it's like a dance of seeing, not just a record. The cool blues and warm browns aren’t just colors, but breaths of light and shadow that give the building a pulse. Look how the paint isn’t trying to hide its nature, but celebrates it. The washes pool and blend, making the stone feel both solid and ephemeral. The arches at the bottom, stained with a warm rust color, ground the piece, while the cool blue up top dissolves into sky. Notice how the details aren't crisp, but soft, almost as if the palazzo is sighing. This piece reminds me of the early watercolors of someone like John Singer Sargent, but with a uniquely modern touch. It's a conversation between tradition and experimentation, and the charm is in that delicate balance.