A Man Called Mr. Cross c. 1785

George Romney's "A Man Called Mr. Cross" is an oil painting that offers insight into the materials and processes of 18th-century portraiture. Romney applied thin layers of paint, a technique called glazing, to build up color and luminosity. Note how the pigment seems to glow, especially in Mr. Cross’s face and waistcoat. This careful, additive method was typical of academic painting at the time, valuing precision and detail. The work is also very much of its moment: a rising class of merchants and professionals, like Mr. Cross, sought to have their status reflected in their likenesses. The very act of commissioning a portrait was a signifier of social aspiration. By understanding the materials and the social context in which this painting was made, we gain a richer appreciation of not just the artwork, but the society that produced it.