Portrait of a Lady 1775

Angelica Kauffmann made this “Portrait of a Lady” with oil paint, a medium that was already venerable in her time. You might think that oil paint is a fine art material, but it's worth remembering that it was originally developed to solve very practical problems, like the need for durable, weatherproof coatings. And in Kauffman’s hands, this utilitarian substance takes on a life of its own. The paint is applied in thin, luminous layers to create soft effects of light and shadow. See how the folds in the sitter’s dress are suggested with delicate brushstrokes, capturing the tactile quality of the fabric. And notice the sculptural quality Kauffman has created by contrasting the matte and shiny surfaces of the painting. The artist has taken the idea of painting as a craft and elevated it to the level of high art. It is the means of production, along with the material, that determines the end aesthetic. This reminds us that all artmaking involves a combination of idea and execution, and that even the most refined artistic statements are rooted in the world of materials and making.