Two Parrots on a Barren Tree c. 1916

Charles Demuth made this watercolor of two parrots on paper, and what I notice is the way the colors behave, like watercolors do, bleeding together. Demuth had a delicate touch and clearly enjoyed the process of layering colors to create subtle gradations and textures. The birds are perched on a very bare tree branch, and it is this contrast between the barrenness of the tree and the vibrant birds that interests me most. The paint is thin and translucent, allowing the white of the paper to shine through, creating a sense of light and airiness. Look closely at the way Demuth rendered the feathers of the larger parrot; it feels like he flicked his brush to create these tiny, individual marks. There's a looseness here that feels really fresh. This piece reminds me a bit of the watercolors of John Marin, who explored similar themes of nature and abstraction. It’s a reminder that art is always a conversation, with artists responding to and building upon the ideas of those who came before them.