Portrait of a gentleman 

This “Portrait of a Gentleman” was created by George Romney, probably sometime in the late 1700s, using oil paint on canvas. Look closely, and you’ll see how Romney has used the fluidity of his medium to capture the sitter’s likeness, and especially the textures of his clothing. The crisp white of the gentleman’s wig, the heavy drape of his red coat, and the soft folds of his shirt and gold sash have all been rendered with subtle brushstrokes and attention to light and shadow. But let’s also consider the social context that made this painting possible. Oil paint had become the medium of choice for European portraiture since the Renaissance, and the techniques used to create these images demanded highly skilled labor. From preparing the canvas to grinding and mixing the pigments, a workshop of artisans was involved in the production of portraits like this one. When we understand this division of labor, we can appreciate the full scope of the painting’s value, and challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.