In the Woods 1898

'In the Woods' was made by Paul Cézanne, using oil paint on canvas. The visible brushstrokes speak volumes, each dab and stroke a deliberate act of construction. Cézanne's technique is neither purely representational nor wholly abstract. Instead, he carefully constructs the scene through the interplay of color and form. The textures are palpable, conveying the density of the forest, and the weight of the trees. Cézanne engages with centuries of painting traditions, yet his approach breaks from the academic and naturalistic conventions of his time. His emphasis on process elevates the act of painting, bringing it to the fore. Cézanne's art invites us to reconsider the means of production in painting. By showing the work involved, he elevates the labor of the artist. This emphasis on the handmade challenged the dominance of industrial production. The material handling and the physical engagement with the canvas underscore the importance of the handmade in a rapidly industrializing world.