George Catlin painted this view of the Pampa del Sacramento using oil on canvas. The gentle brushwork and muted palette bring a softness to this vast landscape, even with the snow-capped Andes looming in the distance. The light and airy feeling of the piece may belie its historical context, though. Catlin made his reputation travelling in the American West, painting Indigenous people. Here, he documented the Ecuadorian landscape, continuing his project of visually recording cultures which were under threat. Oil paint as a medium was intrinsically linked with European traditions and wealth, since it required refined materials and complex processes. Catlin’s decision to use it here subtly underscores the incursion of colonial culture into this very scene. So, next time you encounter a painting, consider the materials, how they were sourced, and how they connect the artwork to a broader context.