The Nymph Callisto 

Jean-Baptiste Greuze painted this oil on canvas portrait of 'The Nymph Callisto' sometime in the 18th century. The smooth surface is typical of the period; built up through layers of thin glazes, it’s a world away from the rough textures we often see in contemporary art. The softness of the medium allows Greuze to capture Callisto's delicate skin tones, while the fluid brushwork gives the impression of flowing hair. Greuze was interested in depicting moral narratives, often with an erotic charge. Here, the leopard skin draped around Callisto's shoulder alludes to the hunt and the chaste goddess Diana, whose follower Callisto was. But the fact that she’s wearing it so casually gives her an alluring, even dangerous, quality. It’s a masterful use of material and process to suggest a complex story. Ultimately, this painting shows how the very act of painting can imbue an image with meaning.