Tournant de rivière 1850 - 1860

Félix Ziem made this oil painting, called Tournant de rivière, with brushes applying thick layers of paint. You can see the material qualities in the strokes and the way they interact with the canvas. The paint isn't just a tool for depicting a scene; it's a substance with its own weight and texture. Notice how the light seems to emanate from the surface itself. The way Ziem handled the oil paint is significant. It's part of a story about how artists were beginning to explore materials for their own sake. The artist is showing you not just a river, but also their own engagement with the craft of painting, blurring the line between the subject matter and the artistic process. Consider how the artist’s labor is embedded in the final piece. It invites us to think about the choices artists make in their work. By attending to materials and process, we gain a richer appreciation.