View from the Cliff at Pourville, Bright Weather 1882

Claude Monet's "View from the Cliff at Pourville, Bright Weather" is made with oil paint on canvas. The way Monet applied this paint is key to understanding his project. Look closely, and you’ll notice the brushstrokes are distinct, almost aggressively present. This wasn't just about depicting a scene, but also about the act of painting itself. The texture of the paint, its viscosity and luminosity, becomes part of the subject. Monet was deeply engaged with the material qualities of his medium. The labor involved is evident; you can see the artist’s hand, the decisions he made in each stroke. This process-oriented approach elevates painting beyond mere representation. It invites us to consider the meeting of labor, material, and artistic vision, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.