Kore (Akropolis museet inv. 675) 1911

Marie Henriques made this watercolour, Kore (Akropolis museet inv. 675), using layers of transparent washes over a warm ground, in a process not unlike that of developing a photograph. There’s a softness here, a gentle blending of colours that gives the Kore a dreamlike quality. I love the way the light seems to glow from within, especially around her face and the folds of her garment. Look closely, and you'll notice how the artist used delicate strokes and subtle shifts in tone to create the illusion of form and depth. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, as if the artist were inviting us to pause and reflect on the beauty of the ancient world. It reminds me a little of Whistler's tonalist paintings, which also sought to capture fleeting moments of beauty with understated elegance. Ultimately, this artwork is a reminder that art is not about perfection or precision, but about capturing the essence of a subject and sharing it with others.