Madre 1911

José Garnelo's "Madre" is rendered with oil on canvas, a traditional medium dating back centuries. The somber palette and loose brushwork contribute to the painting's emotional weight. Garnelo coaxes a rich range of tones from the oil paint, layering dark hues to create depth and shadow. The texture of the canvas, though mostly obscured by paint, subtly influences the play of light across the surface. His application of paint seems spontaneous, yet it's controlled. This hints at the many hours of labor and the artist's deep understanding of his medium. In Garnelo's time, oil paint was increasingly industrialized, making it more accessible to artists. However, the skill required to manipulate the material and achieve such depth of feeling remained a testament to individual craftsmanship. By focusing on the materiality and making of "Madre," we can appreciate how Garnelo elevates a traditional medium to express profound emotional depth, bridging the gap between craft and fine art.