Effet de lune c. 1853

Johan Barthold Jongkind created this painting, ‘Effet de lune’, with oil on canvas. Jongkind was known for his loose brushwork, and for capturing atmospheric effects in his landscapes. Here, the thick application of paint is particularly effective in rendering the moon’s glow and the reflections on the water. The surface is built up with layers of pigment, creating a rich texture that adds depth to the scene. But consider the industrial backdrop to this ‘moonlit effect’. Those chimneys speak to labor, and pollution. The artist is depicting a modernising world, where factories are beginning to dominate the landscape. Jongkind acknowledges this shift, depicting it with the same attention he would give to a natural scene. The artist suggests that the industrial age and its artifacts could hold a certain melancholic beauty. So, next time you see a landscape painting, consider the wider social context in which it was made. Look beyond the surface, and appreciate the full story that the artist is telling.