Wet Pasture c. 1870

This ‘Wet Pasture’ was painted by Narcisse-Virgilio Diaz using oil paint, a traditional fine art material. The material influence on appearance is notable. Diaz has harnessed the fluidity of oil paint to create a landscape of almost indistinct forms. The pigment’s texture, weight, and color contribute to the creation of a murky scene. Consider the material processes involved, from the extraction of raw materials to the grinding and mixing of pigments. The tools he used, brushes and palette knives, helped with the creation of texture to give an impression of light filtering through the clouds and reflecting off the wet ground. Diaz's approach embodies a romantic sensibility, which connects with broader social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The artwork reflects the value placed on skill and artistic expression. Ultimately, the emphasis on materials, making, and context challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.