Fiesole 1902

Pekka Halonen painted this view of Fiesole using oil on canvas. At first glance, it may seem like just another landscape. But consider Halonen’s artistic process. He applied the paint with visible brushstrokes, layering color to capture the light and form of the Italian countryside. The texture of the canvas, though mostly covered, peeks through, adding depth. This technique, while common in painting, also connects to craft traditions where the hand of the maker is celebrated. Halonen was engaging with materials and processes that were very established by his time. Oil paint, though industrialized by the 19th century, allowed him to interpret the view with personal expression. By focusing on the materials and the act of painting itself, Halonen elevates the everyday into something meaningful, blurring the lines between fine art and the skilled crafts.