Kalve ved stranden 1896

Theodor Philipsen created "Calves by the Beach" using oil on canvas. Note the texture of the paint; Philipsen applied it in loose strokes, typical of the Impressionist movement. Philipsen was interested in modern life, but especially, the life of the countryside. His paintings often feature animals. In this painting, the herd of cattle are rendered with a sensitivity that is both particular and generalized; he shows the reality of labor and land. There is also the labor of painting to consider, as well as all that is involved in producing the materials for it: canvas, pigments, brushes. Philipsen was not just representing rural life, but also participating in the industrial and economic systems that defined his era. By considering these production networks, we appreciate that what we see in a painting like this is more than just a picture. It’s a record of human activity, both on the farm and in the studio.