Erecting a Calvary 1858

Jules Breton made this painting, Erecting a Calvary, with oil on canvas. Breton was known for his images of rural life, and this one shows a religious procession, likely in his native Courrières in northern France. The artist's choice of oil paint is important here. He uses it to capture the textures of the landscape and the clothing of the people in the scene. Notice the rough fabric of the peasants' clothes and the smooth surface of the church walls. The artist even varies his own application of the paint. In some areas, like the sky, he uses thin washes to create a sense of atmosphere, while in others, like the foreground, he applies thick brushstrokes to give the scene a more tactile feel. Breton’s painting reminds us that even seemingly straightforward depictions of everyday life are, in fact, carefully constructed artifacts. Appreciating his choices of material and method helps us to see this work not just as a picture, but as a product of both artistic skill and a specific cultural moment.