Fields of Tulip With The Rijnsburg Windmill 1886

"Fields of Tulip With The Rijnsburg Windmill" was painted by Claude Monet, using oil on canvas. Monet, like many impressionist painters, had a strong understanding of his materials. The application of paint, or facture, is very evident in the final product. Here, the brushstrokes are quite loose and free, and the colors are mixed directly on the canvas rather than on a palette, to create an impression of spontaneity. Monet builds up layers of colour and impasto to give texture and depth to the scene. This allows him to capture the unique way the light falls on the tulips and windmill. Monet was part of the generation that was the first to really reckon with art as a commodity. Instead of being directly commissioned by patrons, he relied on the market to support his practice. Despite this shift, by paying attention to Monet’s process, we see the work that is involved and the skill required to produce such a beautiful and evocative image. This reminds us of the importance of craft in "high art" and the labour involved in artistic creation.