Martigues, Devant La Maison De Ziem 

Félix Ziem made this watercolor painting of Martigues, France. Ziem was a master of this medium, and it lent itself perfectly to capturing the shimmering light and atmosphere of the Mediterranean coast. With a quick, confident hand, he laid down washes of pigment on paper, building up the scene with layers of transparent color. See how the fluid nature of watercolor allows the artist to suggest the movement of the trees, the vastness of the sky, and the reflection of sunlight on the water. Ziem was not merely depicting a scene but conveying a feeling, a sense of being present in this place. He invites us to appreciate the beauty of everyday life and the skill of the artist in transforming simple materials into something extraordinary, blurring the boundaries between fine art and the craft of painting.