John La Farge

The effects of different times of day on the landscape—as in this morning view across the water to the volcanic island of Moorea—captivated artist John La Farge. Known chiefly for his work in stained glass, La Farge took an extended journey to the South Pacific in 1890–1891. Using a palette of purples, blues, and greens, he conveyed the majesty of nature without human impact, emphasizing its epic proportions and potential for rapidly changing weather. La Farge’s watercolors from the trip explore the unusual light effects of the islands, and build upon his deep understanding of color theory and optics.