In the Villa Borghese 

Aurelio Tiratelli painted this scene of leisure at the Villa Borghese using oils, likely sometime in the late nineteenth century. The artist worked with fluid brushstrokes to capture the light and texture of the garments and setting. Notice the contrast between the fine dresses of the women and children, rendered with delicate detail, and the rougher clothing of the nanny, suggesting a social divide and a hierarchy of labor. Oil paints, mass-produced at this time, allowed artists to achieve greater realism and detail, reflecting the rise of industrial capitalism and consumer culture. By focusing on a scene of middle-class leisure, Tiratelli’s painting shows how art became entangled with class and social status. Paying attention to the materials and the context helps us to understand the social and cultural dynamics reflected in this seemingly simple scene. It's a reminder that paintings, like craft objects, are deeply connected to the world around them, and that every image involves choices, labor, and social significance.