Returning from the burial of Christ 1859

Nikolai Ge painted "Returning from the Burial of Christ" using oil on canvas, a traditional medium with a long history. But look closely, and you’ll see how Ge departed from academic norms, exploiting the very materiality of paint. You can see the rapid brushwork, how he laid down the pigment in swift strokes, and then let the canvas show through in places. There’s a directness, almost a rawness to the image. He wasn’t trying to create an illusion of reality, but rather a powerful emotional effect. It's important to remember the historical context. In 19th-century Russia, artists were increasingly interested in realism and social critique. Ge, with his expressive handling of paint, was pushing against the polished, idealized style favored by the academy. He was using his materials to convey a sense of immediacy, of human suffering, and doubt. So, next time you look at a painting, consider the artist’s process. The way they choose to use their materials can tell us so much about their intentions, and the world they lived in.