The North Sea 1883

James McNeill Whistler made this watercolor painting, *The North Sea,* using paper and pigments that were increasingly available during the Industrial Revolution. The thin washes of color evoke the scene's damp atmosphere, capturing the feeling of a cold, overcast day by the sea. Notice how the translucent quality of the watercolor allows the whiteness of the paper to shine through, creating a sense of light and space. The sketch-like quality suggests it was made en plein air, as a quick study. But think about the conditions for artists who worked this way, braving the elements, possibly in the service of larger compositions made in the studio. It’s a far cry from the labor of sailors and dockworkers, yet still a kind of work. By focusing on materials, processes, and context, we can appreciate the social and cultural significance of even a seemingly simple artwork like this, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.