Bacchus and Ariadne 

Angelica Kauffmann rendered this scene of Bacchus and Ariadne using oil paints, a medium that allows for the delicate blending of color and a smooth, almost porcelain finish. The way Kauffmann applies her materials has a lot to do with the picture's meaning. Look closely, and you can appreciate the subtle gradations of tone in the figures' skin, achieved through painstaking layering. This was typical of the Neoclassical style in the late 1700s. The almost total absence of visible brushwork gives the impression of flawless, idealized forms. This wasn't just a matter of technique; it was about visualizing a world of gods and heroes, set apart from the everyday realities of labor. Consider all the work that was required to achieve this effect—the grinding of pigments, the careful priming of the canvas, the countless hours of delicate brushwork. In this context, the painting becomes more than just a pretty picture. It's a testament to the artist's skill and an expression of cultural values, embedded within the very substance of the piece. It invites us to see paintings, not just as images, but as the products of making and the embodiment of social meaning.