Margaret Strachan (Mrs. Thomas Harwood) 1771

This portrait of Margaret Strachan, who became Mrs. Thomas Harwood, was painted by Charles Willson Peale using oil on canvas. Peale would have built up the image through layers of paint, carefully blending colors to create a realistic likeness. The way he’s handled the oil paint is fairly conventional, but it’s worth noting that he was also an inventor and a tinkerer. This curiosity shines through in his attention to Mrs. Harwood’s dress. Look closely at the tactile quality of the fabric, capturing its sheen and the way it drapes, and also at the delicate lace. These details speak to the labor involved in producing such finery, and the social status it signified. Peale’s meticulous approach elevates the craft of portraiture, inviting us to consider the material culture of the time. By paying attention to the making of the painting and the making of the clothes, we gain a richer understanding of both the artwork and the world it represents, blurring any supposed distinction between art and craft.