View near Polling 1876

William Merritt Chase painted ‘View near Polling’ using oil on canvas in the late nineteenth century. The visible brushwork is as much the subject as the landscape it depicts. Chase was clearly interested in the materiality of his medium. Note how the strokes build up, creating a sense of depth and texture, particularly in the sky. He applies the paint with speed and confidence, resulting in a work that feels both immediate and considered. The thick application of paint creates an almost sculptural quality, drawing attention to the physical properties of the oil paint itself. While the scene appears pastoral, think about the labor involved in producing the materials that make up the artwork, from the mining of pigments to the cultivation of flax for the canvas. These processes, often overlooked, connect the painting to broader social and economic systems. By drawing attention to the materiality and making of ‘View near Polling,’ we can appreciate the skill involved in its creation.