The Haystacks 1889

Alfred William Finch created "The Haystacks" using oil paint on canvas, employing the pointillist technique. Look closely, and you'll see how the entire image is composed of small, distinct dots of color. This wasn’t just a novel artistic technique; it was rooted in scientific theories about optics and color perception. Finch and his fellow pointillists sought to achieve a greater vibrancy by allowing the viewer's eye to blend the colors, rather than mixing them on the palette. The materiality of paint is crucial here. The texture of the canvas, combined with the precise application of each dot, creates a shimmering surface. The labor-intensive process speaks to a deliberate slowing down, a focus on the act of making as much as the subject itself. By embracing this painstaking technique, Finch elevates the mundane – haystacks in a field – to a subject worthy of careful consideration. It encourages us to appreciate the time, effort, and thought embedded in the work. It's a reminder that even the simplest subjects can reveal unexpected depths when approached with care and attention to the materials at hand.