The Balcony c. 1888

James Abbott McNeill Whistler created this watercolor painting, titled "The Balcony," using pigments suspended in water, applied to paper. The choice of watercolor lends itself to capturing fleeting moments and subtle atmospheric effects, seen here in the soft washes and delicate gradations of tone. But let's consider the social implications of this scene. Whistler often depicted scenes of everyday life, choosing subjects that reflected the changing urban landscape and the lives of ordinary people. Note that the artist's application of the watercolor is suggestive of labor; the rapid, fluid strokes indicating the artist's deft handling of the medium, but also a kind of casualness that was read as modern in its day. By focusing on the materiality and making of "The Balcony," we can appreciate how Whistler challenged traditional notions of fine art and craft, elevating the humble medium of watercolor to new expressive heights.