The Vista c. 1890

Ralph Blakelock made this landscape painting on canvas, but the date is unknown. While appearing traditional, Blakelock's artistic process was unconventional. He didn't rely on preliminary sketches or direct observation, but built up layers of pigment, incorporating materials like varnish, glazes, and even dirt or sand to achieve the effect of depth and texture. The thick application and manipulation of paint is evident. He scratched and scraped the surface to create a sense of flickering light and movement within the dense foliage. This working of the material surface wasn't just about representation, but about the physical engagement with the medium itself. Blakelock was from a relatively privileged background, and his method can be interpreted as a rebellion against academic norms, elevating process and material experimentation over traditional techniques. This hands-on approach blurs the lines between painting and sculpture, inviting us to consider the physicality of the work and the artist's labor in its creation.