An Alpine Valley with Trees and Boulders 1876

Gustave Dore created this watercolor painting of an alpine valley with trees and boulders. It’s made using watercolor paints, which require an engagement with the materiality of paper, the absorbency of the surface, and the properties of diluted pigments. The artist would have had to build up this complex image layer by layer, taking advantage of watercolor’s fluid and translucent qualities. Look closely, and you can see how he used these to capture the textures of the boulders and foliage, and the atmospheric quality of the distant peaks. The precision needed for such a detailed rendition would have been acquired through years of practice. Watercolor was often considered a lesser medium, associated with amateurs, but the sheer skill on display here elevates the work. It reminds us that the value of art comes not just from the subject, but also the artist’s ability and the chosen materials. It encourages us to reconsider the accepted hierarchy of artistic practices and recognize the beauty of work that engages with the world with sensitivity and care.