Bateaux Dans La Lagune De Venise 1936

Konstantin Gorbatov rendered this impression of boats in the Venetian Lagoon in oil paint, using short, thick strokes. The application of pigment captures light and gives the scene a sense of vitality. Looking closely, you’ll notice Gorbatov’s method of layering color to build form and texture. This is particularly evident in the sails, where heavy impasto creates a tactile surface, almost like stucco. The material properties of the paint – its viscosity and opacity – are essential to the image’s overall effect. The result isn’t just representational but directly physical; the artist’s labor is evident in the built-up, palpable surface of the canvas. In this way, Gorbatov’s painting bridges a divide between the tradition of easel painting and the values of craft, where the hand of the maker is always present. By considering the techniques and materials, we gain a richer appreciation for the work’s expressive power.