Colonel Mendes Cohen 1838

Rembrandt Peale painted this portrait of Colonel Mendes Cohen using oil on canvas. The material qualities of oil paint have a lot to do with this portrait's effect. Applied in thin layers, the paint creates a smooth surface, which yields a feeling of refinement. Oil paint also allows for very subtle gradations of tone. Note how the artist models the face, moving almost imperceptibly from light to shadow. These visual properties were highly valued in Peale’s time, as they conveyed not only the likeness of the sitter but also his social status. Portraiture was often commissioned by the wealthy, as a display of their power. The artist’s labor is evident in the careful rendering of details, from the buttons on Cohen’s coat to the glint in his eye. When we consider the materials and making of this painting, we can see how closely it is tied to issues of labor, consumption, and social class. By understanding these factors, we gain a deeper appreciation of the artwork's meaning and significance, challenging the traditional separation of art and craft.