Spring on the Riviera 

Rose O’Neill captured this scene, ‘Spring on the Riviera’, using oil on canvas. O’Neill deploys broken brushwork and vibrant, unblended colors to capture a street scene, with two figures beneath a blossoming tree. The visible brushstrokes give a sense of the artist's hand and the immediacy of the moment. The paint is applied in layers, with different colors mixed on the canvas. The colors are vibrant, and the artist used thick impasto, particularly in the tree, to build up texture, creating a sense of depth and movement. O'Neill's technique is reminiscent of Impressionism, prioritizing light and color to convey the feeling of a sunny day on the Riviera. But there’s also a sense of social context. Who are these women, sitting and sewing? What labor and class issues are at play in this seemingly simple scene? By considering the materials, making, and social context, we gain a more comprehensive understanding of the painting's meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.