Portrait of Frances C. Houston c. 1880s

Thomas Wilmer Dewing painted this portrait of Frances C. Houston using oil on canvas. Dewing favored traditional fine art materials, but his artistic vision was far from conventional. Look closely at the way the paint is applied, in loose, almost hazy strokes. This technique softens the edges of the figure, making her blend with the background. The collar in particular is a fascinating study in materiality. Dewing's style reflects a broader interest in aestheticism, and the idea of art for art's sake. By focusing on subtle tones and textures, he elevated the very act of painting, blurring the lines between the fine arts and the decorative arts. He also seems to nod towards fashion, at a time when designers were seen as creative artists in their own right. This portrait reminds us that materials and making are essential to understanding an artwork, and that boundaries between art forms are artificial.