Still Life in Blue 

Rudolf Bér made "Still Life in Blue" using oil paint, a traditional fine art material. The visible brushstrokes show how Bér carefully built up layers of color, manipulating the paint’s texture and sheen to capture light and shadow. The artist's hand is evident in every stroke, reminding us of the physical labor involved in creating the piece. Notice how Bér’s application of blue hues adds a sense of depth and atmosphere to the scene, infusing the everyday scene with emotion and a vibrant energy. The painting exists in a long history of oil painting, and yet, by attending to the artist's labor, we see how it intersects with wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. This reminds us that art is not created in a vacuum, but is deeply embedded in broader social and economic realities. By looking closely at the materials and process behind it, we gain a richer understanding of its meaning.