Portrait of a Woman (possibly Madame Keyser) 1897

This portrait, possibly of Madame Keyser, was made by Eugene Carriere, using oil on canvas. The way that Carriere used oil paint here is interesting; see how he thinned it down to create a monochromatic, hazy effect? It’s almost as if we’re seeing the woman through a veil. The process here involves layering and blending, a building up of tones rather than distinct lines. This technique softens the subject and creates an intimate atmosphere. Carriere wasn't just making a picture, he was evoking a mood. The way he handled the oil paint – the very substance of the image – is crucial to this effect. It reminds us that art isn't just about the image; it's also about how it's made, and the artist's labor that's embedded within it. It really challenges our ideas about the distinction between craft and fine art.