Val D'Aosta, Purtud 1909

John Singer Sargent made this watercolour called Val D'Aosta, Purtud, and it’s all about embracing the fluidity of the medium. The way he’s layered washes of green and brown, it’s like he’s not just painting a forest, but the feeling of being in one. Look closely, and you can see how Sargent lets the watercolour do its thing. The paint isn't trying to cover anything up, but rather, the translucent layers create depth and light. I'm drawn to the trunks, those bold vertical shapes anchoring the composition. The way he lets the paint drip and blend – it's like he’s capturing the essence of the forest, not just a literal representation. Sargent’s approach reminds me of Cézanne in his later watercolours, where the act of painting becomes a way of understanding the world. Art becomes an ongoing dialogue with what we see and feel, offering a space for multiple interpretations.