Zaan at Zaandam 1871

Claude Monet created this landscape, *Zaan at Zaandam*, using oil paints, a medium that allows for rich textures and luminous effects through layering and blending. The materiality of oil paint—its viscosity, drying time, and capacity to hold brushstrokes—greatly influences the painting’s appearance. Monet applies the paint in short, broken strokes, capturing the fleeting qualities of light and atmosphere. These lively brushstrokes give a sense of movement and immediacy, as though the scene is observed in real-time. Monet's engagement with oil paint reflects a shift away from academic painting, toward a more subjective and sensory experience. The portability of paint in tubes allowed him to leave the studio and paint en plein air, directly from nature. This approach democratized art-making. With the industrialization of paint production, materials became more accessible. Ultimately, Monet’s innovative approach to materials and process challenges the established hierarchy between fine art and craft, emphasizing the importance of materiality and direct experience in understanding the world around us.