White House at Audierne 1909

Roger de La Fresnaye made this painting, White House at Audierne, using oil paint on canvas. The rough, textured surfaces suggest a direct engagement with the materiality of paint, applied with visible brushstrokes. The palette is earthy, dominated by greens and browns that convey the rugged landscape, while the white of the house is notably luminous. Fresnaye’s technique emphasizes the physical qualities of paint. The visible brushwork and texture bring attention to the artist's hand and the labor-intensive process of painting. This connects to the traditions of landscape painting, but in a way that highlights the act of creation. Fresnaye’s approach challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft by valuing the materiality and the act of making. It makes us think about the amount of labor and skill involved in the artistic process, and how these aspects contribute to the work's overall meaning and aesthetic appeal.