Diana in the forest 1930

Zygmunt Waliszewski painted ‘Diana in the Forest’ with oil on canvas using expressive brushwork and vivid colors. The painting's visual impact relies heavily on the inherent qualities of the oil paint: its viscosity, luminosity, and capacity for layering. We can see that Waliszewski applied the paint in thick, gestural strokes that give the surface a tactile quality, while also reflecting light and creating a sense of depth. The process of painting becomes visible, almost as important as the subject matter itself. Although the subject matter may be read as classical, the materiality of the oil paint imbues the work with a social or cultural significance. Oil painting was becoming increasingly accessible, and Waliszewski engaged with his medium using expressive mark-making. This way of working challenged traditional notions of artistic skill and beauty, and opened new avenues for artistic expression, blurring the lines between fine art and craft.