Mrs. David Cadwallader Colden 1830

Charles Cromwell Ingham made this portrait of Mrs. David Cadwallader Colden using oil on canvas. Oil paint offered a versatility that allowed for capturing fine detail and subtle gradations of light, a process often built up through layers to create luminosity. Consider the fabrics depicted here. The velvet of her dress, and the silk of her shawl, both suggest luxury and status, while the skill of the artist is made evident in their representation. Ingham has captured the rich texture of velvet, and the light reflecting off the silken shawl, achieved through careful mixing and blending of pigments. The social significance of this portrait lies in its ability to portray wealth and social standing. The choice of materials, from the canvas support to the expensive pigments, would have been a considerable investment, reflecting the values of a society that prized craftsmanship and material wealth. So while this is a work of fine art, it is also a work of craft, made with considerable skill and labor, and embedded within the wider social and economic structures of its time.