Study for ‘Homage to Watteau’ 1918

Editor: So, this is André Lhote's "Study for ‘Homage to Watteau’" from the Tate collection. It looks like oil on canvas. The figures feel very constructed, almost like a stage set. What do you make of its materiality and construction? Curator: The key is Lhote's process. Consider the visible brushstrokes, the layering of paint. He's not hiding the means of production; the labor is evident. Is this about honoring Watteau or deconstructing his style through modern methods? Editor: That's interesting. It makes me think about how he's using a traditional subject with such a modern technique. Almost like commenting on the act of painting itself. Curator: Exactly! It challenges the hierarchy between subject and method, doesn't it? We're not just seeing a scene; we're seeing the act of its creation, and reflecting on how art is constructed. Editor: Right, I see that now. Thanks, that’s a great perspective! Curator: My pleasure, material examination can open many doors.