Pins Aux Cannebiers 1903

Maximilien Luce made 'Pins Aux Cannebiers' using oil paints. The visible brushstrokes, and the thickness of the paint, give the impression that Luce worked quickly to capture the scene. Luce, associated with the Neo-Impressionist movement, applied paint in small touches of pure color. The way Luce used the material of paint - its texture, its ability to blend light and color - allows us to see the world through his eyes. The way the light hits the leaves, the shadows cast by the trees, all brought to life through Luce's skilled handling of his materials. Luce was deeply engaged in the political issues of his day, and his commitment to social justice often found its way into his art. Though this painting does not immediately address labor or class, his practice can be seen as a rejection of traditional academic art, and a celebration of everyday life and ordinary people. This painting encourages us to look closely at the world around us, and to appreciate the beauty that can be found in even the simplest of scenes.