Untitled 

This painting was made by Gwen John using watercolor. The thin washes of color, especially in the background, show how John coaxed the paint to do her bidding. Watercolor has an interesting position within the history of art. It is known as both an amateur and a professional medium. Its portable, immediate nature lends itself to casual sketches and plein air painting, but its unforgiving character, and the high level of technical skill required to master it, also made it a favorite of masters like John Singer Sargent. Gwen John's embrace of watercolor reflects her unique sensibility. She favored intimate, contemplative subjects, reflecting a turn inward and away from the grand narratives of academic painting. This preference positions her within a broader historical shift, challenging the traditional hierarchy between 'high' art and more personal, immediate forms of expression. This approach emphasizes the importance of process, context, and material understanding in appreciating the artwork.