La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini

University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Watercolor, Gouache, and Prismacolor Pencil. 11” x 17” watercolor paper. 2023.

Research, renderings, and swatches.

La Bohème sets place in a small garret in Paris, 1830s. We meet four struggling bohemians, a poet, a painter, a musician and a philosopher are living together on a freezing Christmas Eve when their lives are changed forever. A girl named Mimì knocks on their door looking for a candle light, and she and Rodolfo fall in love. It becomes clear that Mimì is desperately ill, and that Rodolfo, in his poverty, cannot provide for her. Our bohemians try to find their way, but are soon sharply awoken to the harsh realities of life.