“Simplon Pass. The Green Parasol,” created in 1911 by John Singer Sargent, is a notable watercolor on paper artwork that belongs to the Impressionism art movement. Measuring 40.32 by 53.02 cm, this genre painting captures a serene and intimate moment, made evident through Sargent’s masterful brushwork and delicate use of color.
The artwork depicts two elegantly dressed women reclining on what appears to be a grassy hillside, shielded from the sun by parasols, one prominently green, which contributes to the painting’s title. Sargent’s proficient use of watercolors illustrates the soft interplay of light and shadow across the flowing garments and the tranquil landscape. The artist’s impressionistic technique is vividly exhibited in the fluid, luminous quality of the surroundings, as well as the gentle expression on the women’s faces, exuding a sense of leisurely repose and the ephemeral beauty of a sunlit day.