Milky Way 

Józef Mehoffer created this painting, titled 'Milky Way,' using oil on canvas. Oil paint’s versatility allows for a range of effects, from smooth, blended surfaces to thick, textured impasto. Mehoffer seems to have taken full advantage of this to depict the woman’s dress, with its striking rose pattern, and the ethereal backdrop of stars. The manipulation of oil paint, a material often associated with high art, reveals a fascinating tension. In ‘Milky Way,’ the artist deliberately emphasizes the materiality of the paint itself, reminding us of the labor involved in its application and the creative potential held within its viscous form. It is a reminder that a painting is an object, not just a window. By emphasizing materials, making, and context, we challenge the conventional hierarchy between art and craft.