Landscape near Puits Noir, near Ornans 1865

Gustave Courbet's "Landscape near Puits Noir, near Ornans" was made with oil on canvas. It’s a familiar medium, but Courbet used it to create a radical, almost physical encounter. Look closely at the rock surfaces: they are built up with thick impasto, troweled on in layers. The paint isn't just describing the scene, it's actively recreating the dense, geological presence of the French countryside. Courbet likely worked en plein air, directly confronting the landscape. He wasn't just depicting nature, but wrestling with it, in a very physical way. This approach aligns with the broader social context of his time. As industrialization transformed French society, artists like Courbet turned to the land, emphasizing the value of manual labor and direct experience. This painting isn't just a landscape; it's a statement about the importance of materiality, and the dignity of working with your hands. It reminds us to value both the skill and labor involved in art making.