Epponia giving bread to her husband Sabinus in concealment 

Benjamin West made this oil on canvas, Epponia giving bread to her husband Sabinus in concealment, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. West was working within a well-established tradition: painting with brushes, pigments, and oils. But it's worth remembering that even within a tradition, there are decisions to be made. Here, the artist used these materials to depict a scene of domesticity and Roman history: a woman, Epponia, secretly providing sustenance to her husband, Sabinus, who is in hiding. The work's material influence is seen in the textures and tones West has achieved, creating depth and emotion through light and shadow. Painting at this time was a skilled practice, deeply embedded in cultural and social contexts. The work involved in preparing paints, layering colors, and achieving the lifelike representation seen here was considerable. By focusing on the labor and materials involved, we can appreciate the artistry in West's work, while also considering broader themes of love, sacrifice, and resistance.