Portrait of Senora Ceán Bermudez 

Francisco de Goya painted this portrait of Señora Ceán Bermúdez using oil on canvas. The materiality of the painting and the textiles, particularly the dress, have their own social and cultural significance. The artist's technique is particularly notable for its loose brushwork and attention to detail. The brushstrokes are visible in the rendering of Señora Ceán Bermúdez’s dress, hat, and jewelry. The lace trim of her dress, painted with delicate strokes, contrasts with the heavier application of paint used to render the fabric. The production of lace was labor-intensive work, often done by women. The cost and quality of the fabrics, along with the time and skill required for dressmaking, would have signaled her social standing. Through the materiality of paint, the artist captured not just a likeness but also the tangible realities of class, labor, and consumption in 18th-century Spain. Understanding these elements enriches our understanding of the portrait, challenging any simple distinction between fine art and craft.