The Recording of Precedents: Confucius and His Pupils Collate and Transcribe Documents in Their Favorite Grove; Color Study for Mural, Supreme Court Room, Minnesota State Capitol, Saint Paul 1903

This watercolor study was made by John La Farge as a color study for a mural; it shows Confucius and his pupils collating and transcribing documents. It’s a black and white image, with lots of layering, a real density of tones. The way he’s handled the watercolor feels very intuitive, almost like a sketch. If you look closely at the base of the waterfall, you can see how he’s built up the image in lots of little strokes, almost like he's knitting it together! There’s a real fluidity to it. For me, this piece becomes about the way artists build up images and ideas, bit by bit, learning from the past, just like Confucius! It reminds me a little of Delacroix. He also had an interest in historical subjects, and also worked in a very improvisational way, but ultimately, art is about seeing, feeling, and thinking, and this piece brings all these elements together!