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

John La Farge made this study for a mural with watercolor, probably in his studio in New York. It’s mostly in greyscale, except for the touches of blue and red. I can imagine La Farge dabbing and feathering the washes of color, trying to get the folds of the robes just right. I like the casual way the figures are arranged, like a snapshot of a group of friends hanging out. What were they talking about, what was the tone of that conversation? This color study gives us just a glimpse into the scene, inviting us to imagine the rest. It makes me think of other artists who used watercolor to capture a fleeting moment. Like Winslow Homer, or even someone like Manet, who could do so much with so little. Artists are constantly in conversation with one another, building on each other's ideas and approaches. This piece shows how a simple color study can capture a complex moment, hinting at the stories and ideas that lie beneath the surface.