Still Life with Decanter and Lemons on a Plate 1887

Vincent van Gogh created Still Life with Decanter and Lemons on a Plate with oil paint on canvas. These are, of course, traditional art materials, but used here in an unorthodox way. Van Gogh’s characteristic impasto is very much on display. You can see the texture, the peaks and valleys of the paint, and the way in which the materiality of the oil has a life of its own. The brushstrokes create a rhythm of textures, from the swirling green of the table to the knobbly skins of the lemons. Consider how the work was made, and how these processes have imbued the artwork with cultural significance. Here, it is all about touch. His animated application emphasizes the handmade nature of the work, and his attention to detail makes you consider the relationship between painting and the labor involved in other kinds of making. Paying attention to materials, making, and context helps us understand the full meaning of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.