View of Saleve, near Geneva 1834

This is "View of Saleve, near Geneva" by Theodore Rousseau, created sometime in the mid-19th century, using oil on canvas. The impact of this landscape painting lies in how Rousseau applied the viscous material to the canvas. Look closely, and you can see how he diluted the pigment, and how he used brushes of various sizes and textures. The rough, layered brushstrokes build a rich surface, reflective of the unforgiving terrain in the scenery. Rousseau was associated with the Barbizon school, a group of French painters who emphasized direct engagement with nature. The landscape in the painting isn't just a backdrop, it's the focus. It's almost as if Rousseau is showing the results of his hard labor of being outdoors in an uncultivated area. By emphasizing the tactile qualities of paint, and focusing on the ruggedness of the landscape, Rousseau elevates this painting beyond a mere representation of a landscape, and invites us to contemplate the connection between materials, labor, and the natural world. It demonstrates the ways in which fine art and craft intersect.