Aswan of the Nile 

Konstantinos Maleas painted *Aswan of the Nile* using oil paints. Notice how Maleas's handling of the oil paint influences the appearance of the scene. The paint is applied in thick, deliberate strokes, giving a tangible, almost sculptural quality to the landscape. The layering of these strokes creates a textured surface, capturing the light and shadow that define the landscape. The social significance of this lies in the labor-intensive process of oil painting, where each brushstroke represents time and effort. The directness of the paint application reflects a broader movement away from academic precision toward a more expressive approach, evident in the lack of blending and the visible brushwork. This shift democratized art-making by making the artist's hand more evident, bridging the gap between the fine arts and more tactile craft traditions. Paying attention to the materials and making helps us understand how artworks challenge established categories and connect to social and artistic developments of the time.