River Bank 1876

Ilya Repin painted this landscape, River Bank, in 1876, using oil paints on canvas. Looking at the canvas, you can see that Repin has handled his materials in a painterly way, the brushstrokes are visible, and the paint is applied thickly in some areas, thinly in others. This approach to painting, which can be traced back to 17th-century painters like Frans Hals, has an immediacy to it, as though the scene was captured in a single breath. Think about Repin mixing his colors, loading his brush with paint, and then making a mark on the canvas. Each of these decisions has a cumulative effect on the artwork. The way that he represents light, shadow, and reflection, all contribute to the beauty of the scene. It can be easy to overlook the artist's hand, but the making process is central to its aesthetic effect. So next time you're looking at a painting, take a moment to appreciate the artist's touch, and the way that their choices contribute to the overall effect.