Ragusa (from Sketchbook) 1904

Mary Newbold Sargent made this graphite landscape in the 19th century. I like to think of her sitting by the water, sketchbook in hand, quickly trying to capture what she sees. The marks are so unassuming, almost scribbled, but they build up this dreamy vision of a town on the water. You know, it's amazing what can be achieved with so little, just a humble pencil. I imagine she was trying to capture not just the scene, but the feeling of being there. The cool air, the stillness of the water, and the way the light hits the buildings. It makes me think about how we, as artists, are always in conversation with those who came before. The way she simplifies the landscape kind of reminds me of Cezanne. I feel like Sargent is whispering to Cezanne, and Cezanne is whispering to me, and I'm whispering to you. The conversation of painting just keeps going.