Still Life 

Fujishima Takeji created this still life painting with oil on canvas during a time of significant change in Japanese art. Notice how the artist's handling of oil paint influences the appearance of the artwork, especially the bold brushstrokes used to depict the flowers, leaves, and vases, which are visible across the surface. The texture of the canvas and the way the paint is applied give the still life a tactile quality, almost as if you could reach out and touch the objects. Consider the cultural significance imbued in the choice of the objects depicted. The selection of flowers and vases ties into wider issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Paying attention to materials, the way the painting was made, and the context in which it was created enriches our comprehension, urging us to reassess traditional separations between fine art and craft.