A Summer Stroll 

Albert Lynch painted "A Summer Stroll" with oil on canvas, using the techniques of his time. Look closely, and you will see the distinct brushstrokes, how he layered the paint to create depth and texture. This was no accident, but a conscious choice to show the work involved in creating the artwork. The very materiality of the paint is foregrounded here. The image also speaks to the means of production; the lady's garments, the parasol she is carrying, are indicative of a certain class and lifestyle. All of this is the product of laborers. Lynch seems interested in the leisure time of his subject, but it is a portrait of privilege. The beauty of the scene is tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. When we consider the materials, the making, and the context, we come to a fuller understanding of art and society.