Big Clouds 1893

Theo van Rysselberghe created "Big Clouds" using oil paint applied in a meticulous pointillist technique. The painting's appearance is deeply influenced by its material execution. Each small dot of color, carefully placed, builds up the overall image. The texture is inherently linked to the process of its making; a testament to the labor involved. This isn't just about depicting a scene, it's about showing the act of seeing itself, breaking down light and color into its constituent parts. Van Rysselberghe engages with the tradition of academic painting, but pushes it to the brink of abstraction, akin to the repetitive tasks of industrial labor. The sheer amount of work embedded in the production process reflects broader social issues of labor and the changing landscape of art production in the late 19th century. Understanding the materials, the making, and its social context is key to appreciating "Big Clouds" and challenging the conventional hierarchies between craft and fine art.