The Fortress Of Ehrenbreitstein From Across The Rhine 

J.M.W. Turner rendered this scene of The Fortress Of Ehrenbreitstein in watercolor, a medium that invites light and atmosphere to merge. Consider the way the pigments have been applied; thin washes that allow the paper to breathe through. These aren't the traditional art materials of oil paint and canvas, but instead something far more immediate. Turner was a master of watercolor, exploiting its fluidity to capture fleeting effects. The image itself almost dissolves before our eyes, reflecting the ephemerality of human endeavor against the backdrop of nature. The fortress, a symbol of power and control, is softened by the watercolor's delicate touch. We can almost feel the dampness in the air, the coolness of the river. Turner is asking us to consider the materiality of the world around us, and the transience of even the most monumental structures. By focusing on the basic materials, the artist challenges us to think about the relationship between human ambition and the natural world.