Café im Zürcher Belvoir-Park 1937

Varlin painted "Café im Zürcher Belvoir-Park" with oil on canvas. It’s a scene of leisure, but the way Varlin applies the paint hints at the labor and social structures beneath the surface. Look closely and you will notice how each stroke seems deliberately placed, almost fighting against the ease and relaxation of the scene. It’s a far cry from the smooth, polished surfaces often associated with high society. Varlin’s technique involves thick, almost sculptural application of paint, reminding us that art is always, fundamentally, made by hand. He captures the weight and texture of the outdoor scene with an emphasis on the materials and the act of painting itself. The brushstrokes almost become characters in the scene, participating in the social atmosphere he is capturing. By drawing attention to the making, Varlin blurs the lines between the high-class scene and the labor that makes it possible. He invites us to consider the value of both skill and subject in understanding art, ultimately challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.