Landscape of Aigues-Mortes 1867

Frederic Bazille made this landscape painting of Aigues-Mortes in France using oil paint on canvas. The loose brushwork, with visible strokes and varied paint application, give a liveliness to the scene. Bazille was very interested in capturing the sensation of light and atmosphere. You can see it in the way the sky seems to open above, pushing the town into the distance. The effect is achieved through the materiality of paint itself; the surface is built up with color, layer upon layer. While this work is not overtly political, it’s worth remembering that painting of this kind had a social dimension. Artists like Bazille often worked en plein air, painting outdoors, and the rise of this practice was connected to the availability of pre-mixed paints in tubes. This mass-produced product allowed for portability and spontaneity. This reminds us that even the most serene landscape painting involves an interaction with industry, and a particular set of social conditions.