Portrait of a young child 

Léon Bazile Perrault made this portrait of a young child using oil on canvas. Perrault was very much a product of his time, trained within the French academic system. Look closely, and you’ll notice how smooth the paint application is, with little sense of brushwork. This was intentional, creating a polished surface that doesn't betray the labor involved. Oil paint allows for seamless blending and layering, which aligns with the period's emphasis on refined technique. The choice of this medium, in itself, speaks to the traditions of fine art, as opposed to more vernacular or craft-based approaches. The girl’s simple white dress is rendered with delicate lace trim. Although the artist has clearly worked hard to achieve such perfection, he directs our attention towards his subject, rather than the processes through which his artwork came into being. In this way, the painting elevates the status of the sitter, rather than concerning itself with the realities of production.