Woodsheds, Tyrol

John Singer Sargent's Woodsheds, Tyrol (1914) is a watercolor with scraping and wax resist over graphite on ivory wove paper. This work shows wooden sheds in the Tyrol region of the Alps, perhaps in Austria or Italy. Sargent traveled extensively in the Tyrol, painting the mountain landscape with a freedom and freshness that distinguishes his late watercolors. The watercolor technique is notably experimental, incorporating wax resist to create areas where the paint slides and beads, suggesting the textures of wood and the effects of light. The scraping further enriches the surface. The composition is organized around the simple forms of the woodsheds, their geometric shapes set against the natural forms of the landscape. Sargent's Tyrol watercolors are among the most innovative of his career, showing him pushing the boundaries of the medium while maintaining the freshness and spontaneity that made his work in watercolor so distinctive.

Sargent's Tyrol watercolors represent a high point in his engagement with the watercolor medium, showing him experimenting with new techniques while capturing the beauty of the Alpine landscape.

This watercolor of woodsheds in the Tyrol showcases Sargent's experimental technique, the wax resist and scraping creating a rich surface that captures the textures of wood and mountain light.