Natural Bridge, Bermuda c. 1901

Winslow Homer made this watercolor called Natural Bridge, Bermuda, with fluid washes that capture the shimmering light and expansive views of the island. I really get the sense that Homer was chasing something here – the way the light hits the water, the stark contrast between the cool blues and the warm browns of the rocks. Imagine him, setting up his easel, trying to capture that perfect moment before the light shifts. See how he layers the paint, letting the colors blend and bleed into each other. That blue pool in the foreground, it's like a little jewel, drawing you in. I can almost feel the sea breeze and smell the salt in the air. Homer was always experimenting with watercolor, pushing the boundaries of what it could do. He was part of a whole movement of painters exploring light and color. The act of painting is such a physical thing. The way Homer applies the watercolor here makes me think about all the decisions, hesitations, and happy accidents that went into creating it. Painting is a conversation across time. I love how artists can inspire each other, even across centuries.