Portrait of Herzogs von Ceri 

This portrait of Herzogs von Ceri was painted by Angelica Kauffmann, using oil paint on canvas, a common choice for the time. Looking closely, you can see how Kauffmann built up thin layers of paint to create the textures of fabric and skin. The translucent quality of oil allows for subtle gradations of color, as seen in the fur trim of his jacket and the delicate ruffles of his shirt. Oil paint was a commodity; its availability and quality were tied to trade routes and industrial production, all of which would have affected the cost of commissioning a portrait. The amount of time and skill involved in creating a portrait like this would have been considerable. Kauffmann not only had to master the technical aspects of painting, but also navigate the social expectations of her patrons. Understanding the materials and processes behind a work like this helps us appreciate the artistry and labor involved, and to challenge any separation between the skill of ‘fine art’ and that of other crafts.