Gods Creatures 1877

Eugene de Blaas created this painting with oils on canvas. De Blaas worked in late 19th century Venice, a place thick with atmosphere. The artist’s chosen medium, oil paint, allows for a very high degree of realism. The painting fools us into thinking we're looking through a window. What makes it seem so real? Well, consider how the paint is layered to create the rough texture of the bricks, and the smooth drape of the nun's habit. This is achieved through the labor-intensive blending of pigments with oil, applied in thin glazes to build up depth of color. Paintings like this one were luxury items, made for a market of wealthy tourists. The skill involved in this kind of picture was highly prized. By appreciating the artist's meticulous technique, we see the true value of the artwork. It's not just an image, but the result of dedicated craft.