Italienerin, einen Krug auf den Schultern tragend 

This painting of an Italian woman carrying a jug was completed by Johann Nepomuk Rauch, who was born in 1804, using traditional oil paints and techniques. The earthy pigments applied to a rough paper support speak volumes. See how the broad strokes and visible texture create a sense of immediacy, as if the painting was completed on site. Note the inherent qualities of the oil paint, how it’s been used to create a realistic depiction of the woman's clothing and skin tone, highlighting the weight and texture of the garments. This artwork engages with well-established European traditions of painting and aesthetics, highlighting an interest in the laboring classes, and Romantic depictions of ‘the other.’ It’s a far cry from industrial materials, yet it speaks to wider social issues by presenting a studio painter’s vision of everyday life. Considering the materials, making, and social context allows us to fully appreciate the painting’s layered meanings, prompting us to reconsider distinctions between fine art and craft.