East River Park 

William James Glackens made this painting of East River Park using oil on canvas. Here, paint is applied with vigorous strokes, lending an immediacy to the scene. Glackens, part of the Ashcan School, often depicted everyday life in New York City. The visible brushwork isn't just a stylistic choice; it's integral to the painting's meaning. Rather than attempting a photorealistic rendering, Glackens captures the gritty atmosphere of the industrial waterfront, contrasting the leisure activities of the park with the working river. The materiality of oil paint itself, thick and tactile, emphasizes the human act of painting, reminding us of the artist's labor in translating the scene. Glackens bridges the gap between traditional landscape painting and social realism, using his materials and techniques to draw our attention to the complex relationship between work, leisure, and the urban environment.