Un pin 

Henri Martin’s “Un pin” is an exercise in capturing light and color, achieved through a meticulous application of oil paint. Martin employs a divisionist technique here, building the image from individual strokes of color. Look closely, and you’ll see how he orchestrates blues, greens, and browns to render the textures of the tree bark and foliage, and the overall scene. The labor-intensive nature of this pointillist style contrasts with the apparent simplicity of the subject matter, a pair of pine trees. This juxtaposition prompts reflection on the value of labor, with the hand-worked quality of the painting offering a subtle commentary on the industrialization of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Martin elevates a simple scene into a space for considering the human touch in an increasingly mechanized world. Understanding the artistic labor involved in the production of “Un pin” invites us to consider the wider implications of its making. It encourages us to look beyond traditional distinctions between the fine and applied arts.