Forest 

Isaac Levitan made this painting, Forest, with oil paints on canvas. Levitan engaged with a craft tradition of painting ‘en plein air’ that flourished in the mid-19th century. This was a process that required not just fine art skill, but also careful management of the elements, and portable tools. Levitan carefully chose a vantage point, at ground level, which allows the materiality of the forest floor to dominate the image. The application of paint is loose and expressive, which captures the texture of the dirt road and the vibrant green foliage. Look closely, and you’ll see how the weight of the paint contributes to the sense of depth and volume in the trees. Ultimately, Levitan’s work challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft. It encourages us to consider the skill, labor, and material engagement involved in bringing this vision to life.