Edward Stow c. 1803

Gilbert Stuart made this portrait of Edward Stow using oil on canvas. Stuart was an expert in layering paint to give the impression of real skin, and in this case the careful blending gives Stow a very healthy glow. What may not be so obvious is the amount of labour required to get the canvas prepared, the paints ground and mixed, and the brushes made and maintained. And of course, the artist’s skill, developed over years of practice. But Stow's clothing is itself a kind of material statement. The fine linen of his shirt and neckcloth, and the dark wool of his jacket, all speak to networks of production and consumption. The painting is a direct result of the labour of many hands, from the cultivation of flax and the raising of sheep, to the spinning, weaving, and tailoring needed to produce a gentleman. Considering all the work embedded within the artwork allows us to appreciate the material dimensions of society at the time.