Inondation À Venise 1880 - 1900

Félix Ziem created this painting, 'Inondation À Venise' using oil on canvas. The material itself, oil paint, allows for rich color and luminosity, something Ziem uses to full effect. His strokes of paint are thick and expressive. Notice how the light shimmers off the water's surface. This is not just about depicting a scene; it’s about capturing the atmospheric effects that only oil paint can convincingly achieve. Ziem was part of a generation that took up this industrial product, embracing the freedom and immediacy it offered. Consider the amount of labor involved; not just Ziem’s labor, but the work of those who mined the pigments and manufactured the paint itself. All these aspects – materials, making, and context – are key to understanding the full story behind this captivating view of Venice. Ultimately, it challenges any strict division between art and craft.