The Green Door 

Henri Martin painted 'The Green Door’ using oil on canvas. It’s a clear example of pointillism, where the entire image is built from small, distinct dots of color, a labor-intensive process. Looking closely, you can see that the vibrant scene before us—a sunlit garden path—is constructed with a careful layering of these tiny strokes. The texture of the canvas becomes part of the artwork itself, catching the light and adding to the overall luminosity. Pointillism emerged in the late 19th century, a time of great social change and industrialization. Artists like Martin were exploring new ways of seeing and representing the world, often reacting against the rapid pace of modern life. The meticulous, almost scientific approach of pointillism can be seen as a response to the mass production and mechanization of the era, reasserting the value of handcraft and individual skill. So, next time you look at a painting, remember to consider not just what is depicted, but how it was made, and how that making is tied to wider social issues.