Rustend meisje 1903

Johan Antonie de Jonge made this watercolor, ‘Resting Girl,’ sometime in the late 19th, early 20th century, and right away you can see how he’s relishing the process. The paint here is super fluid, almost like he's letting the water do its thing, guiding it loosely across the paper, like a dance. The colors are muted, soft blues, yellows, and browns, creating this calm, dreamy atmosphere. The texture, or lack thereof, is interesting. The washes are so transparent that you can see the paper underneath. I love the way the artist painted the girl’s face, so soft, so relaxed, like the paint itself is resting. It reminds me a little of Whistler, with that interest in quiet, tonal harmonies, but with a more intimate, personal feel. This painting is a conversation, a question, a moment of quiet contemplation.