Venise, Le Palais Des Doges 1865 - 1870

Félix Ziem made this view of the Doge's Palace in Venice using oil paint on canvas. These materials are traditional for painting, but Ziem's approach to them is quite free. You can see how he layers the paint, especially in the sky, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. The brushstrokes are visible and expressive. It looks like he builds up texture on the canvas. Think about the amount of work involved in producing oil paints. From grinding pigments to mixing them with oils, this process relied on skilled labor and a network of suppliers. And of course, the canvas itself would have been carefully prepared. Ziem then applied his own artistic skill to translate the scene before him onto this crafted surface. By paying attention to materials and making, we can expand our understanding of the image. It reminds us that even a seemingly straightforward landscape painting is the result of many hands and processes, challenging any rigid distinction between fine art and craft.