Pietà 1837

Eugène Delacroix made this painting, entitled Pietà, with oil paint on canvas. The visible brushwork speaks to the way the painting was made. Note how the paint is applied in layers, and how the texture of the canvas affects the overall appearance of the work. The artist's hand is evident in every stroke, revealing his mastery of this medium. Consider the cultural significance of oil painting, which has long been associated with the production of high art. Yet, painting can also be understood as a skilled craft, requiring knowledge of materials, tools, and techniques. Delacroix engaged with a rich tradition of painters before him, which has ties to other histories of creative practices and aesthetics, alongside that of craft and fine arts. Paying attention to the materials, making, and context allows us to understand the full meaning of an artwork like this, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.