Abruzzenräuber Teilung der Beute 1861

Hans Canon completed this oil painting, titled 'Abruzzenräuber Teilung der Beute,' in 1861. Oil paint, traditionally, is made by grinding colored pigments with linseed oil, and applying it in thin layers. It's a slow process but allows for subtle modulations of color and light. In this painting, Canon depicts a band of robbers dividing their loot, after what must have been a hard day's work. We can see how the rough textures and visible brushstrokes are used to create a sense of drama, capturing the rough and tumble life of a gang of thieves. The choice of materials and their application have imbue the painting with a particular social significance. Canon's masterful use of oil paint, a material associated with high art, to depict a scene of bandits dividing their spoils, challenges the viewer's expectations. It reminds us that art is not just about beauty, but also about power, labor, and the realities of social life.