Fountain at Bologna 1906

John Singer Sargent painted this Fountain at Bologna with oil on canvas and, boy, is it juicy! The way Sargent handles paint here is so confident. It's like he's not afraid to let the brushstrokes be themselves. It's not about hiding the process, but embracing it. I’m just struck by how the textures almost vibrate with life, like he's captured not just the fountain, but the very essence of its being. The thick impasto in areas contrasts with the thin washes, creating a tactile surface that practically begs to be touched. Look at the way he renders the water, for instance. With quick, gestural strokes, he captures the movement and sparkle of the water with such immediacy. It's like he's saying, "Here's what it feels like to be in this moment." Sargent reminds me a bit of Manet, in the sense that both artists were interested in capturing the fleeting impressions of modern life. Neither one of them was afraid to leave things a little messy or unresolved, which I admire. It’s like they knew that art is an ongoing conversation and not a final statement.