Fishing Boats on the Shore 

Maxime Maufra made this painting of fishing boats on the shore using oil paint applied with thick brushstrokes, a technique typical of Impressionism. The rich materiality of oil paint allowed Maufra to capture the textures of the boats, water, and the cliffside. Notice how the color, weight, and form bring the scene to life. The visible brushstrokes and textured surface reflect the artist's engagement with the physical properties of the paint, as well as an interest in the lives of those who worked the sea. Maufra engaged with the traditions of landscape painting, but with an eye to social context. The fishing boats suggest the labor and lives of the working class, bringing a focus to the relationship between nature and human activity. By emphasizing these elements, Maufra challenges the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.