Alpine Pool 1907

John Singer Sargent created this oil on canvas painting, "Alpine Pool," during a period when landscape painting was evolving from idealized scenes to more naturalistic and personal interpretations. Here, we see Sargent’s skill in capturing the subtleties of light and reflection on the water's surface. The stones below appear distorted and magnified, a testament to his acute observational skills. Sargent, an expatriate American artist, often depicted scenes from his travels, reflecting a cosmopolitan identity and an interest in capturing fleeting moments of beauty. While seemingly apolitical, landscapes like "Alpine Pool" offered a refuge from the rapidly industrializing world. They allow us to reflect on our relationship with nature, perhaps echoing the artist’s own search for solace and beauty in an ever-changing world.