Mediterranean Breeze 

Vicente Romero painted 'Mediterranean Breeze' using oil paints, a medium known for its versatility and rich texture, yet tied to a history of academic art. Observe how Romero manipulates the paint to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, particularly the way sunlight dances on the water's surface and illuminates the figures' dresses. Oil paint is built up in layers, allowing the artist to create depth and luminosity, mimicking the natural world. But let's consider oil paint itself: traditionally made with pigments ground in linseed oil, it represents a complex intersection of labor and material extraction. The pigments themselves often come from far-flung sources, reflecting global trade networks. In foregrounding the sensuality and leisure, Romero obscures the material conditions that enable the work, reinforcing a divide between the world of labor and aesthetic experience. However, by recognizing the work and skill involved, we can question traditional boundaries of artistic practice.