Faust and Marguerite, Opus VII 1857

Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s “Faust and Marguerite, Opus VII” is a watercolor painting that presents an early scene from Goethe's Faust. The application of watercolor allows for precise details, particularly in the architectural elements of the cathedral, and evokes a sense of light and atmosphere. It's fascinating how Alma-Tadema's use of watercolor, typically associated with preparatory sketches, to create what we might consider a finished work of art. It's clear that the artist took considerable time to observe and represent the stone material of the building, and the clothing and draperies of the figures. This attentiveness to textures and details highlights the amount of work involved in creating the artwork, and emphasizes the connection to craft traditions of meticulous craftsmanship. Alma-Tadema's technical skill reminds us that painting is a practice deeply rooted in making, and the application of skill.