L'esprit Du Vin Ou L'alcoolisme 

Valentine Hugo made this oil painting, "L'esprit Du Vin Ou L'alcoolisme," with traditional materials: canvas, oil paint, and brushes. The muted colors, predominantly dark blues, blacks, and greens, create a somber mood, while the composition suggests a dreamlike state. Oil paint, known for its slow drying time, allows for layering and blending. Here, Hugo uses these properties to create ethereal, almost hallucinatory effects. The process seems to be about the labor of addiction. The way she has spread and blended oil paint across the canvas, mirrors the experience of mental fog and confusion. It is also suggestive of the labor that must have been involved to source and prepare such materials. Ultimately, the way an artwork is made deeply influences its meaning. Hugo’s choice of materials and techniques emphasizes the psychological depth and emotional intensity of the subject matter, challenging any clear distinction between fine art and the craft of emotional expression.