Willows by the Yerres 1872

Editor: "Willows by the Yerres," painted by Gustave Caillebotte in 1872. It’s an oil painting and looking at the thickness of the brushstrokes it looks like he painted "en plein air". I find the texture quite compelling. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: Caillebotte, unlike some Impressionists, came from considerable wealth. This allowed him to bypass the traditional patronage system. Think about that: how does financial independence alter the *means* of art production, influencing his choice of subjects or the very speed with which he could experiment and execute work *en plein air*? This allowed artists freedom in subject matter and material use. Editor: So, the materiality is not just the paint itself, but his very access to those paints? Curator: Precisely. Also consider the burgeoning paint industry at this time. The accessibility of pre-mixed colors in tubes fundamentally shifted painting practices, liberating artists from the laborious task of grinding their own pigments, directly impacting their technique and the volume of work produced. How do you think that shift changes the notion of skill itself, as painting is transformed from "craft" to "fine art"? Editor: Interesting, it frees up the artist to create more and explore, but does it lose some of the craftsmanship involved in making paint? It’s a double-edged sword, then? Curator: A good point! It allows for speed and spontaneity but the act of making may diminish or alter one's engagement to the subject or intent of creating something truly special and thought-provoking. So much to consider with each work of art. Editor: I had never considered the actual paint itself in such depth. I have a completely different view of what constitutes art, thanks!