The Woolworth Building from the Ferry 1914

Rachael Robinson Elmer created this view of the Woolworth Building from the Ferry with watercolor. Look at the image and imagine being on that ferry, gazing at the city skyline. There’s something so immediate and alive about the way Elmer has used the watercolour paint. You can feel the hand of the artist in every brushstroke. I can imagine her, out in the open air, squinting, trying to capture the light as it bounces off the water and the buildings. The palette is muted, almost dreamlike, with blues, greys, and touches of golden yellow. The Woolworth building emerges like a beacon, catching the sun's rays. See how the brushstrokes aren't precise but evoke a sense of movement and atmosphere? This image isn't just about representation; it's about feeling and seeing. Painters are always in conversation with each other, across time and space, and it’s this constant exchange of ideas that keeps the whole thing alive. This artwork is a reminder that painting isn’t just about what we see, but about how we experience the world.