Winter Landscape 1984

Tetyana Yablonska painted this winter landscape, using traditional oil paints and brushes. The visible brushstrokes build texture in the snow, which is not just white, but lavender and grey. The way Yablonska used the material qualities of oil paint transforms the cold, solid essence of the landscape into a rich and tactile experience for the viewer. It's tempting to see painting like this as separate from labor, but think of the artist’s intense focus, the mixing of colors, and the deliberate application of each stroke. It's a kind of craft – a deliberate manipulation of materials to a desired end. Ultimately, considering the artist's labor, the material of paint, and the social context of the artwork allows us to appreciate the skill and artistry involved in capturing this winter scene, challenging the perception of fine art as separate from craft and labor.