Landscape with Crows 

Karl Lessing made this landscape painting with crows using oil on canvas. The directness of the painting shows the artist’s hand in the application of paint, allowing the material qualities of the oil to build up a sense of texture. Oil paint traditionally combines ground pigments with linseed or walnut oil. The artist would have carefully mixed the colors on a palette, using brushes to apply the paint to the canvas. The brushstrokes create a tactile surface, which enhances the sense of depth and atmosphere in the scene. Oil paint also allows the artist to build up layers, creating a complex and nuanced effect that mimics the natural world. Lessing's engagement with the material of oil paint and the process of painting is a reminder that art is not just about the subject matter. It is also about the skill, labor, and creative choices that go into its production. By emphasizing the importance of materials and making, we challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.