Gustave Courbet made this painting with oil on canvas, using brushes to create texture and depth. If you look closely, you can see how Courbet built up the image through layering. The colors and textures are applied in thick strokes, creating a sense of volume. Look, for example, at the way the crests of the waves are depicted with generous dollops of white paint, catching the light. This direct, hands-on approach reflects the values of Realism, the movement Courbet led. As a Realist painter, Courbet challenged the traditional art world, rejecting idealized and romanticized depictions of the world. Instead, he turned to the everyday, to the landscapes and people around him, and tried to convey the truth of his experience. Courbet’s art reminds us that materials, making, and context are all essential in understanding the full meaning of any artwork.