Harlem River Scene c. 20th century

Ernest Lawson created this Harlem River scene with oil paint on canvas, deploying methods that were very much of their time. Lawson worked with a loaded brush, applying thick, crusty strokes of color. Notice how he captured the texture of the riverbank and the reflections on the water through this tactile approach. This technique, typical of the Impressionist style, emphasizes the physical qualities of paint itself. Rather than trying to create a perfect illusion, he draws attention to the materiality of his medium. But this isn’t just about surface effect. Lawson’s choice of subject, a gritty, working waterfront, also speaks volumes. He wasn’t painting landscapes for the wealthy; instead, he focused on the everyday environments, the places where people worked. In doing so, Lawson elevates the ordinary, finding beauty and value in the overlooked corners of the city, reflecting a broader shift in art towards portraying modern life and labor. It encourages us to reconsider what we deem worthy of artistic representation.