Labastide-Du-Vert c. 1920

"Labastide-Du-Vert" was painted by Henri Martin using oil on canvas. Rather than traditional brushstrokes, Martin applied paint in small dots or strokes - a technique called pointillism. Look closely. You’ll see that each dab of color retains its individual character, while also blending optically with those around it. It's as if each dot is a worker, contributing to the overall image. This painstaking process required immense labor, a kind of meditative work. Pointillism emerged during a period of rapid industrialization and social change, which is no coincidence. Think about the intense labor required to produce even a single painting, and how that contrasts with the increasing mechanization of labor during that period. Martin elevates this slow, meticulous approach to art-making to challenge the increasing dominance of machine production. He invites us to consider the value of individual effort and skill in a rapidly changing world, and questions traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.