Joseph Allen 

George Romney created this portrait of Joseph Allen using oil paints on canvas. It's a typical material choice for the period, but the true skill lies in the way Romney coaxes the oil paint to mimic textures and materials beyond itself. Look closely at the velvet of Allen’s robe: Romney uses dark strokes to create a deep, soft pile. This contrasts with the smoother treatment of the skin on Allen's face, or the crisply rendered paper in his hand. Even Allen’s wig seems to have a texture all its own, achieved through delicate white brushstrokes that give it volume and fluffiness. It's clear that Romney spent time developing an understanding of materiality, not just to depict it in a way that is realistic, but in a way that suggests the subject's status. It is this skilled application of paint that elevates the work beyond mere representation. It speaks volumes about the social context in which the portrait was created. And it underscores the value placed on craftsmanship in the fine arts.