Bouquet of Trumpet Vine 1838

Mrs. E. W. Wirt’s “Bouquet of Trumpet Vine” is a watercolor on paper. The effect of the watercolor is delicate, almost ephemeral. Think about how the paint is applied. It is translucent, allowing the whiteness of the paper to shine through. You can sense the artist layering thin washes of pigment to build up the forms of the flowers and leaves. This technique requires great control. Each layer must be applied carefully, with the artist anticipating how the colors will blend and interact. The level of skill speaks to a tradition of female accomplishment. Often excluded from formal artistic training, women were encouraged to pursue accomplishments like watercolor painting. This allowed them to develop their artistic talents within the domestic sphere. As you admire the detail in the flowers, consider the labor and skill involved, and how that creative work has historically been valued. It invites us to reconsider traditional distinctions between art and craft.