The Conversation 

Théodule Ribot’s ‘The Conversation’ is an oil painting, likely dating from the mid-19th century. Ribot’s interest lies in the everyday, and you can see this in his straightforward use of oil paint, a very direct medium. Applied to the canvas, it allows for blending and layering to mimic the appearance of reality. However, here, the darkness of the palette subverts any such intention, resulting in a painting that appears unrefined and raw. The figures emerge from a dark background and this chiaroscuro effect directs our eyes to the sitters. Ribot used the material properties of oil paint to capture a moment in time. Oil paintings have historically been considered fine art, yet Ribot’s work transcends these boundaries, connecting to wider social themes through materiality and making. He challenges preconceived notions of artistic refinement, reminding us of the value of the everyday, and the labour of artistic creation itself.