Over the Hills and Far Away 1897

William Merritt Chase made this landscape painting, "Over the Hills and Far Away" with oil paint. Look closely, and you can almost feel the thick strokes of the brush as it builds up layers of color and texture. Chase was part of a movement that prized directness. The visible brushwork isn't a flaw, it's a testament to the artist’s hand, his skill and the time taken to create the painting. The materiality of the paint—its viscosity, the way it catches the light—is crucial to our experience. Consider the sheer labor involved. Each stroke represents a deliberate action. The artist’s hand moving across the canvas to build up the scene with distinct marks. This painting blurs the lines between craft and fine art, reminding us that even in the most elevated forms of expression, the hand and the material remain central.