The Basin, Vizcaya

John Singer Sargent's The Basin, Vizcaya (1917) is a watercolor with touches of opaque watercolor and wax resist over graphite on ivory wove paper. This watercolor shows another view of the Vizcaya estate in Florida, this time focusing on a basin or pool in the gardens. Sargent's technique is notably experimental here, incorporating wax resist to create areas where the watercolor beads and slides, creating textural effects that suggest the reflections on water or the texture of stone. The touches of opaque watercolor add weight and solidity to certain passages. The composition is organized around the basin, its geometric form providing a focal point for the surrounding vegetation and architecture. Sargent's Vizcaya watercolors are among the most innovative of his career, showing him experimenting with new techniques while maintaining the freshness and brilliance that distinguished his work in the medium.

Sargent's experimental watercolor techniques at Vizcaya demonstrate his willingness to push the boundaries of the medium, incorporating wax resist and other innovations into his practice.

This watercolor of the basin at Vizcaya showcases Sargent's experimental technique, the wax resist and opaque watercolor creating a rich surface that captures the reflections and textures of the garden.