Sleeping Boy 

This painting, "Sleeping Boy," was likely made by George Harvey in the mid-19th century, using oil paint on canvas. Harvey applied thin layers of paint, known as glazes, to create a smooth, almost porcelain-like surface. The subtle gradations of light and shadow on the boy's face, and the texture of his clothing, demonstrate the artist's mastery of this technique. What's interesting here is the unfinished quality of the background figures. It gives us insight into Harvey’s working process, as it reveals the underlying sketch beneath the finished surface. This work invites us to consider the amount of labor and skill involved in the production of a painting, and the way in which materials and techniques can shape our understanding of the subject matter. It blurs the line between a quickly executed sketch and finished work of art.