Portrait dit du capitaine Jules Raulin 1810

This is Louis Léopold Boilly's portrait of Captain Jules Raulin, painted in oil on canvas. Oil paint, made from pigment suspended in linseed or walnut oil, gave Boilly incredible control over the realistic depiction of surface textures. Notice the fine brushwork used to render Raulin's youthful skin, or the sharp detail of his military regalia. Boilly's skilled application of oil paint demonstrates the important role of craft in fine art traditions. The layering technique, the mixing of pigments, the control of viscosity, and the ability to produce lifelike, meticulous, and luminous textures all emphasize how the painting's material qualities add to its value. Yet, it is important to recognize that this painting of Raulin also tells a bigger story. It reflects the importance of material display as a marker of status within European society, suggesting an alliance between skilled craftsmanship and social power.