La Merenda 

Elin Danielson-Gambogi captured this afternoon beach picnic with oil on canvas. The visible brushstrokes of the paint describe more than just the light, place, and people – they speak to the labor involved in artistic production. Oil paint, composed of pigment suspended in oil, allowed for nuanced color blending and a luminous finish, evident in the sky and water. But notice too how detail is sacrificed in the granular texture of the beach. Beyond the labor of painting, the scene itself depicts women seemingly taking a break from labor: a 'merenda' or informal meal. The careful inclusion of a woven basket and cloth suggests a consideration of the everyday crafts and textiles that were important to social life. By bringing these usually private, domestic traditions into the realm of fine art, Danielson-Gambogi challenges the high/low distinction between art and craft, urging us to see value in these everyday objects and scenes.