In the villa 1880

Silvestro Lega painted 'In the Villa' with oils on canvas sometime in the late nineteenth century. Looking closely at the brushwork, you can really appreciate the speed and ease with which he applied the paint. The scene is rendered with a loose, almost gestural quality, and the application of color is crucial here. Notice the way the white paint captures the light, creating a sense of warmth and vibrancy. And then look at the earthy tones used for the pathway and the trees, applied with swift, confident strokes. The scene may depict a leisurely domesticity, yet the painting displays a modern sensibility. By focusing on the materiality and the process, Lega rejects the traditional hierarchy between the art and the subject, inviting us to appreciate the painting as a crafted object in itself.