Dr Edmund Law, Bishop of Carlisle (1769–1787) 1780

George Romney painted this portrait of Dr Edmund Law, Bishop of Carlisle, in oil on canvas sometime between 1769 and 1787. Oil paint's workability and capacity for blending allowed Romney to capture the nuances of Law's expression and the texture of his garments. The layered application of paint, a time-consuming process, reflects the labour involved in creating such a portrait. Romney carefully built up the image, using a palette of creams, reds, blacks, and browns. The layering is visible especially in the details of the Bishop’s sleeves, giving them a plush, voluminous quality. This type of portrait would have served as a status symbol for the sitter, as a commodity circulating within the patronage system of the late 18th century. The skill involved in creating such a likeness elevated painting to a position of high art, distinct from more practical forms of making. Yet, in its own way, this painting also reflects the world of craft and labor that enabled its production.