Portrait of Laurens Reael c. 1620

Cornelis van der Voort painted this portrait of Laurens Reael with oil on canvas. The very scale of this work makes it impressive. But look closer: what makes this painting so fascinating is the contrast between smooth and textured. See how Van der Voort has deployed the paint to evoke the luxurious textures and weight of Reael’s clothing? The gleaming metal of the armor, rendered with precise brushstrokes, speaks volumes about Reael's status and the labor required to produce and maintain such finery. Notice the lace trim, the stiff ruff, the textured weave of the sleeves. The textiles alone would have been produced by skilled makers working long hours. The time and expense involved in creating such a portrait – canvas, pigments, and the artist’s own labor – underscore the sitter's importance. Next time you look at a painting, consider the processes of making that are recorded on its surface.