Old Mill 

Hermann Ottomar Herzog made this painting, Old Mill, using brushes and oil paints. It depicts a landscape with a dilapidated old mill house. The materiality of oil paint is crucial here. Herzog builds up layers of pigment to capture the scene's detail, from the textures of foliage to the reflections in the water. Look closely, and you’ll see how the brushwork adds life to the image. The labor involved in creating such a painting is also significant. Herzog likely spent many hours at his easel, carefully mixing colors and applying them to the canvas. This level of dedication and skill elevates the painting beyond a mere representation of a scene, transforming it into a work of art. It's a testament to the enduring appeal of traditional painting techniques, even in a rapidly changing world. By considering the materials, making, and context of a work like this, we can challenge traditional distinctions between art and craft, and see Herzog's work in a new light.