Landscape with Railway Tracks 1872

Gustave Caillebotte created this oil painting, Landscape with Railway Tracks, capturing a moment in time with a traditional medium. The material's influence is evident in the way Caillebotte depicts the landscape, with visible brushstrokes and layering of colors, adding depth and texture. He uses traditional painting techniques, skillfully manipulating oil paints to create a sense of atmosphere and perspective. The railways are a key motif, reflecting broader social issues of industrialization, labor, and consumption. This artwork emphasizes the amount of labor involved in the production process. The railways symbolize progress and modernity, reflecting Caillebotte's interest in depicting contemporary life. He engages with a tradition of landscape painting, using the medium to explore themes of modernity, and the changing relationship between urban and rural environments. By examining Caillebotte's use of materials, making, and context, we gain a deeper understanding of the artwork's full meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.