Rouen, Fog Effect 1898

Camille Pissarro's "Rouen, Fog Effect," employs oil paint on canvas, a decidedly conventional choice for its time. Yet, Pissarro’s method elevates the material beyond mere representation. Notice how the brushstrokes aren't blended smoothly. This allows the materiality of the paint itself to contribute to the depiction of the fog, creating a blurred, almost palpable atmosphere. The thick application captures the density of the industrial haze, a byproduct of Rouen's factories. It’s important to remember that Pissarro wasn't just painting a landscape; he was painting a moment in time marked by industrial growth. The visible brushwork speaks to the labor involved in creating the artwork, mirroring the labor that fueled the factories depicted. Pissarro blurs the boundaries between traditional landscape and social commentary, reminding us that even the most conventional materials can carry profound meaning when used with intention.