Stormy Sky and Sea, Belle Ile, off Brittany 1890

John Peter Russell painted this scene off Brittany using oil on canvas. See how the visible brushstrokes and layered paint give the scene a tactile quality. Russell was working at a time when artists were liberated by innovations in paint production. New pigments created intense hues. And the advent of paint tubes meant canvases could be completed outside the studio. Here, thick daubs of blues and pinks capture the movement and atmosphere of the coast. Consider the labor involved in creating paints: the mining of pigments, the grinding and mixing, all tasks that shaped artistic production, though often unseen. These elements are critical to how the painting communicates the environment. Looking at the materials and processes used, we gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry involved, challenging any lingering divide between fine art and craft.