Patch of Poppies by Granville Redmond 1912

Granville Redmond painted "Patch of Poppies" with oil on canvas, using techniques of the late 19th and early 20th century. Oil paint is made of pigments mixed with drying oil – linseed was common. Redmond likely built up layers of paint, perhaps starting with thin washes and then adding thicker applications to give depth and texture to the flowers and fields. Look closely and you can see how the brushstrokes themselves contribute to the liveliness of the scene. The canvas support also plays a role. It provides a receptive surface, but also a standardized one. As industrial production made canvases more affordable, it helped democratize painting and make it accessible to a broader range of artists. Considering the painting’s materials and processes helps us appreciate the artist's skill. It also reminds us that even seemingly straightforward landscape paintings are tied to wider systems of labor, production, and consumption. This brings into focus the cultural and social significance of the artwork.