La Fête Des Amours 1853

Narcisse-Virgilio Diaz created La Fête Des Amours using oil paint, a medium known for its versatility and rich texture. Diaz was associated with the Barbizon school, and he used a traditional process of layering paint, which gave him a remarkable ability to model figures and landscapes. Look closely and you can see the thick application of the paint, which allows for a play of light and shadow that gives the scene a sense of depth and movement. The oil paint is applied to canvas, a material that had become increasingly available and affordable in the 19th century, thanks to industrial production. This made it possible for artists like Diaz to create large-scale works for a growing market of collectors, eager to purchase visions of leisure and beauty. In the end, Diaz's painting is an example of how the materials and processes of art are always intertwined with the social and economic conditions of their time. This is true whether you are looking at a painting or a teacup.