The River c. 1864

Pierre Puvis de Chavannes painted 'The River' with oil on canvas. Look closely, and you will see that the material almost has a fresco-like quality. De Chavannes was celebrated for his murals, and there is a deliberate flatness and lack of sharp focus here, as if the artist wants to maintain a certain distance. Even the canvas itself is left exposed in areas. The artist aimed for a raw, honest, and unpretentious expression, which influenced many later modernists. The scene depicts figures in a classical style, engaging in everyday activities by a river. This romantic vision belies the impact of industrialization and urbanization during the 19th century, where the majority of the population worked in factories. De Chavannes's emphasis on the material, and the making of the painting, provides a deeper understanding of the artistic vision that often challenges the traditional boundaries between fine art and craft.