Overcast Day 1885 - 1900

Eduard Karsen made this moody, evocative painting, "Overcast Day", with oil on canvas, using brushes to layer and blend the pigment. Think about the labor involved in making the paint itself; grinding pigments, mixing with oil, a process often outsourced from the artist’s studio by Karsen’s time. The muted palette – earth tones, grays, and greens – speaks to the tradition of landscape painting. Karsen may have applied the paint thinly, allowing the texture of the canvas to show through, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. The overcast sky, the dark water, and the dilapidated buildings all contribute to the somber mood of the painting, with a sense of decay and neglect that prompt reflection on issues of labor, class, and consumption. By considering the materials and processes used to create "Overcast Day," we can better understand its cultural significance, appreciating the ways in which Karsen's work challenges traditional distinctions between art and craft.