Simeon with the Infant Jesus 1796

Benjamin West rendered *Simeon with the Infant Jesus* using oil on canvas, a time-honored medium that had become increasingly standardized by the late 18th century. Consider the material properties of oil paint. The way it allows for a smooth, almost enamel-like surface, but also for visible brushstrokes that lend texture and dynamism. West exploits this duality to create a sense of both the divine and the earthly. The rich, saturated colors, achieved by layering pigments, create a luminous effect, drawing the viewer's eye to the central figures. But let's not forget the canvas, a product of industrial weaving. The threads, likely made of flax, were spun and woven by laborers. The canvas provides the very foundation for West’s art, reminding us that even the most elevated subjects are grounded in material reality and human labor. It underscores how even the most seemingly straightforward paintings are, in fact, complex objects with a deep connection to social and economic systems.