Merjelen See 1870

Editor: Here we have John Singer Sargent's watercolor, *Merjelen See*. The cool blues and greys create a serene, almost otherworldly atmosphere. I'm curious, what strikes you most about the composition? Curator: The visual power lies in the contrasting textures: the jagged peaks against the smooth glacier, the rough foreground against the distant mountains. Notice how Sargent uses layered washes to build depth and luminosity. How does the materiality of watercolor contribute to the ethereal quality? Editor: I see what you mean. It's like the medium itself mimics the fluidity of the landscape. Thanks, I've never thought about watercolor like that before. Curator: Indeed, the formal elements conspire to create a compelling viewing experience.