Portrait of Feliks Jasieński 1903

Jacek Malczewski painted this portrait of Feliks Jasieński in 1903, using oil on canvas. A fairly standard medium, yet oil paints have their own properties and inherent qualities of substance, which play a significant role in the artwork. Malczewski applied the paint in layers, building up depth and texture, with each layer influencing the colors and tones of the layers beneath, a complex and time consuming process. This process and his technique of blending and layering has imbued the artwork with a dreamlike quality. Consider the labor involved in the production process, both that of the artist and the production of the materials that would be required to create the artwork, such as the canvas, paint, and brushes. Oil paint itself is a highly processed substance, requiring the extraction and refinement of raw materials like linseed oil, and the grinding and mixing of pigments. When we consider the materials, making, and context, the meaning is enriched, challenging any traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.