Vase de Fleurs 

Odilon Redon painted this still life, Vase de Fleurs, using oil paints and a loose brushstroke technique. Notice the thick impasto of the paint, particularly in the rendering of the flowers. This layering of color creates a vibrant, almost tactile surface. Redon's method involves building up the image through successive applications, not unlike the additive process of constructing a ceramic vessel. The textures, weight, and forms of the flowers are all carefully considered, revealing Redon's deep engagement with the materiality of his medium. The painting process is not merely representational; it’s an act of translating the natural world into a crafted object. The result is a celebration of the sensual qualities of both paint and the depicted flowers. Redon’s approach underscores how deeply entwined artistic creation is with the manipulation of materials and the social context in which that labor takes place. By acknowledging the active role of both the artist and the materials they employ, we can move past traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, and appreciate the multifaceted nature of artistic production.