Robert Vernon Atherton Gwillym 1766

Joseph Wright of Derby painted this portrait of Robert Vernon Atherton Gwillym using oil on canvas. Oil paint, prized for its blending capabilities, gives a smooth finish to the sitter's jacket. But let's not overlook the material facts of this image. The pigment itself would have been painstakingly ground by hand, and combined with oil for application. Consider, too, the linen canvas, made from flax: a woven support that was the foundation for the entire image. The portrait tradition to which this painting belongs demanded this level of material attention. Wright has not only given us an image of Robert Vernon Atherton Gwillym, but also a powerful sense of his social standing through his material presence. Ultimately, the artistry lies not only in the skillful manipulation of paint, but also in the artist's understanding of how materials and processes can convey social status and cultural values.