Springtime in the Crimea 1900

Isaac Levitan captured this Crimean landscape on canvas using oil paints, a medium that allows for rich color and texture. Look closely, and you’ll see how Levitan built up layers of paint, using brushstrokes to mimic the rugged textures of the landscape. Notice the impasto technique in the foreground, where thick daubs of paint create a sense of depth and materiality. The artist’s touch is visible in every stroke, revealing the amount of work that went into it. Oil painting was well established by Levitan's time. Although it was considered a refined and respectable art form, it was also the main way of representing wealth and power, and it became the predominant painting method of choice for artists. Ultimately, understanding the material and the making of this artwork gives us a richer appreciation of its beauty. It helps us see beyond the surface, and recognize the skill and labor involved in its creation, pushing us to reconsider art’s conventional borders.