The Ramparts of Montreuil 1904

James Charles likely painted ‘The Ramparts of Montreuil’ with oil paints, a medium capable of capturing both the subtle gradations of light and the rough textures of the landscape. The visible brushstrokes reveal the artist's engagement with the physical properties of paint, and the direct application of the material onto the canvas. Charles’ technique embraces the fluidity and viscosity of the oil paints, allowing for layering and blending that evokes a sense of depth and atmosphere. It's a way of working that aligns with the Barbizon school, focusing on the materiality of the landscape as much as the scene itself. Consider the context: Charles was painting at a time when industrialization was transforming the French countryside. Here, we see an artist turning away from the factory and toward nature. This painting isn't just a pretty picture; it's a statement about the value of the natural world in an age of increasing mechanization. By highlighting the materiality of paint and landscape, Charles elevates the everyday into something worthy of contemplation.