Mrs. Ewe 

Lucia Heffernan painted Mrs. Ewe using oil on canvas, a traditional medium employed since the early Renaissance. Heffernan has skillfully blended this older technique with a very contemporary sensibility. The smooth texture of the paint creates soft, delicate forms, emphasizing the inherent qualities of light and shadow in the lamb's wool, and the luxurious pearls around its neck. It is the playful combination of these materials that gives the artwork its social and cultural significance. The pearls and elaborate feathered hat are a comment on the traditions of the upper class, while the lamb introduces an element of whimsy that speaks to the accessibility of contemporary tastes and consumption. Ultimately, this piece challenges our preconceptions, and reminds us that meaning can be found in unexpected places, bridging the gap between classical technique and contemporary commentary.