Grassy Field 1890

Georgios Jakobides created this landscape painting, Grassy Field, with oil paints. The loose brushstrokes and muted tones imbue the scene with a sense of tranquility, typical of en plein air paintings, made outside of the studio. Looking closely, you can see the physical properties of the oil paint, especially the viscosity that allowed Jakobides to apply it in visible strokes, building up texture on the canvas. The thickness of the paint suggests a direct, hands-on process. This approach, typical of Impressionism, implies a specific kind of labor, of being present in the landscape. The field appears untamed, almost wild, contrasting with the cultivated agricultural landscapes, symbolizing a return to nature as a response to increasing industrialization. Ultimately, through his chosen materials and method, Jakobides invites us to consider the value of direct engagement with the environment.