Church at Labastide du Vert 

Henri Martin's "Church at Labastide du Vert" is a textural exploration rendered with oil paint, an exercise in applying color theory to canvas. Martin's process involved a meticulous layering of small, distinct dots of color, a technique known as pointillism. This method, influenced by scientific theories of optics, sought to create luminous effects through the viewer's optical blending of colors. The result is a surface that shimmers with light, giving the architectural solidity of the church an ephemeral quality. Looking closely, one might consider this labor-intensive technique as an embrace of the value of handwork, at a moment when the art world was rapidly transforming and grappling with industrial modes of production. The painting process itself becomes a subject, as Martin's painstaking application of paint emphasizes a commitment to craft. By focusing on these material and social contexts, we move beyond the simple representation of a church to consider the broader cultural values embedded in the artwork.