Untitled 

This untitled painting was made by Michel Carrade using oil paint on canvas. Here, the artist lays down blocks of colour, allowing them to bleed into one another. This blending softens the edges of the painting, and adds a feeling of depth. The use of oil paint, with its capacity for smooth gradations, is crucial to Carrade's effect. The process emphasizes an intimate, physical engagement with the materials. It’s also not accidental. Oil paint is a manufactured substance, and we should remember that its availability made this work possible. The tools of painting also matter. A brush is extended from the artist's hand, allowing for broad sweeping motions, as well as finer details. Ultimately, the meaning of this work lies in its making, a result of Carrade's mastery of materials and techniques. We should consider the skill involved in creating this artwork, and resist the temptation to separate its intellectual and manual dimensions.