Les sylphes 1958

Jean Bertholle created this painting, “Les Sylphes,” using oil on canvas. You can see how he has applied the paint in confident strokes. Some areas are thickly impastoed, lending the surface a tactile quality. The inherent qualities of oil paint—its viscosity, the way it blends, the subtle gradations of tone that are possible—all contribute to the work’s visual effect. Bertholle skillfully plays with these properties, building up layers to create depth and texture, and achieve luminosity of color. He employs a painterly style with dynamic brushwork, building up the image through successive stages. This reflects a lineage of creativity and craftsmanship, which also includes artists who treat fine art as an intellectual pursuit. Oil paint, as a medium, has a rich history deeply entwined with cultural expression and societal values. Bertholle's engagement with this medium connects him to that history. Ultimately, appreciating the material and the making allows us to transcend traditional classifications, and recognize the artist's hand in its creation.