Blick auf Konstantinopel 

Félix Ziem created this "View of Constantinople" with oil paints on canvas. Look closely, and you can see how the fluidity of the oil paint allows him to capture the shimmering reflections on the water, and the hazy light on the distant city. The appeal of oil paint lies in its versatility. Ziem could build up layers of translucent glazes, and also apply thick, opaque strokes, creating a rich surface texture. These impasto areas catch the light, giving the painting a dynamic quality. Consider how the portability of these materials-- canvases and paints-- allowed artists like Ziem to travel and capture scenes from around the world, feeding a growing demand for exotic imagery in the art market. The relative ease of oil painting, compared to earlier artistic mediums, also democratized art making, leading to a wider range of artists and styles. So, next time you look at a painting, think not just about the image, but the materials and processes that brought it into being.