The Outskirts of London. A View Looking towards Queen Square 1786

Thomas Jones made this painting of the outskirts of London using oil on canvas. The materiality of oil paint lends itself to smooth, almost dreamy depictions of the landscape. Notice how Jones has used the viscous quality of the oil to create soft color transitions, blurring the edges of buildings and fields. This technique softens the stark reality of urban expansion. Consider the social context: the late 18th century witnessed rapid urbanization driven by industrialization. The painting captures a moment of transition, where nature meets the urban environment. Jones employs techniques that highlight the tension between the idealized landscape tradition and the changing social fabric. The fence acts as a mediator between the elite and the working class, embodying the politics and consumption of the era. This painting reminds us that the very materials and processes of artmaking are tied to wider social issues, and challenges our assumptions about what constitutes fine art versus craft.