Nocturne: Black and Red—Back Canal, Holland 

James McNeill Whistler painted this evocative watercolor, Nocturne: Black and Red—Back Canal, Holland, using techniques that are more akin to printmaking than traditional painting. The atmospheric scene relies on the fluidity and transparency of watercolor washes. Whistler's choice of materials, and how he applied them, is key to understanding his vision. The way the pigment bleeds and blends speaks to the character of the place and the time, as well as his own aesthetic choices, such as a bold red, that wouldn't necessarily be found in nature. Whistler, like many artists of his time, was fascinated by Japanese prints, and there's a clear echo of this influence in the flattened perspective and emphasis on mood. His handling of the watercolor medium also reflects a kind of labor, one that is careful and deliberate. The painting isn't about skillful representation, but about conveying an emotional state. The painting asks us to reconsider the perceived hierarchy between different media. It challenges the notion that watercolor is somehow less serious than oil. Whistler’s painting elevates the medium of watercolor to a level of artistic expression that rivals other fine art forms.