Cadiz 

Walter Gramatté made this painting of Cadiz using oil on canvas. The way Gramatté has laid down the paint is very loose, with visible brushstrokes. This allows the canvas to show through in places, giving the painting an unfinished, almost sketch-like quality. The artist is not trying to trick us into thinking we are looking at a photorealistic scene, but instead emphasizes the materiality of the paint itself. Oil paint has a long history, used for centuries by artists to create illusions of depth and realism, and the way it is employed here reflects a modernist sensibility. The rough handling of the material brings a sense of immediacy to the work, as though we are witnessing the scene alongside the artist. This focus on the process of painting is a reminder that art is not just about the final product, but also about the act of creation.