Portrait of a Lady c. 1895

Thomas Wilmer Dewing created this Portrait of a Lady with oil on canvas. Dewing was known for his ability to create ethereal and atmospheric effects. Looking closely, you can see that he built up the image through layers of thin glazes of paint, a time consuming and laborious process. This allows light to interact with the surface in subtle ways, creating a luminous quality, particularly in the sitter's face and dress. The softness of the brushwork further enhances this sense of delicate beauty, while the muted palette contributes to the overall mood of quiet contemplation. It is easy to overlook how the handling of paint is itself a craft, a learned skill. Dewing's mastery of this is evident in the way he captures the textures of skin and fabric, suggesting a privileged world of leisure and refinement, and showing that the making of art is also work.