This is our second work by John Singer Sargent. In it we move to the still life paintings of Sargent, this one done in a hotel in England. It is now in the collection of the Yale University Art Gallery.

This work is done in the Impressionist style with the daffodils painted mainly en mass in joining strokes of yellow. The play of brightness, shadow and reflection is also emblematic of this art movement’s attention to the effect of light. One of the more captivating aspects of this work is Sargent’s remarkable ability to paint transparency. He applied this genius often in his still lifes and his portraits which we will view in coming weeks.

How does one represent what can be seen through glass with paint and a brush and do it so well? Fruit through glass, light through glass, silver through glass, all delicately executed in this narrow view of a formal table against an opaque, rough and neutral wall. This is a grand and simple painting that can call us to our every view and experience. It might be especially relevant now.

As we move on slowly and within the past year’s uncertainty to remember the before times, we can find former, familiar circumstances altered in disorienting ways, as if seen through glass. A felt, distorted transparency of expectation and memory can change our perspective and prompt an internal dialogue. “I remember doing this but what are these new feelings? How will I find ease and safety in this now?” This blend of the familiar and the not quite could be like an orange seen through stemware.

We may admit, honor and trust to God our transparent, renewed views like the one depicted here. We may trust God as the light and shadow, the bright yellows and orange, the dark browns and gray find new places in our lives and we again find them.

God and beauty move with us as always now. May we treasure the view of each new moment in the manner of this artist who made his moments our guide.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church