Prairie Au Pont D’argenteuil 

Gustave Caillebotte painted ‘Prairie Au Pont D’argenteuil’ using oil on canvas. Caillebotte applied the oil paint in distinct strokes, a technique characteristic of Impressionism. Note how the brushwork models the material qualities of the scenery: thick, impasto strokes conjure the lushness of the grass and the density of the tree's foliage, while smoother, blended strokes suggest the sky. Impressionism marked a shift away from the academic traditions of art. Artists like Caillebotte embraced modern subjects and direct observation. However, the way the paint is applied can be seen as labor itself. The artist's work became part of the subject, recording his individual experience in the face of mass industrialization. Through his active brushstrokes, Caillebotte captured the fleeting moment, the changing light, and the sensation of being present in a specific time and place. This approach elevated painting from mere representation to an expression of personal perception.