The Bible 1845 

George Harvey created this small painting in 1845 using oil on board. The worn leather binding, secured with ornate metal clasps, suggests the book has been well-used. Oil paint, traditionally associated with high art, is here employed to depict a humble, everyday object. The texture of the aged leather is rendered with careful brushwork, emphasizing its material qualities. Notice the way the artist captures the light reflecting off the metal embellishments, adding a sense of depth and realism to the painting. In the context of 19th-century society, the Bible was a powerful symbol, and paintings such as this are an indirect comment on the rise of evangelical religion. The small scale of the painting and the intimate portrayal of the book suggest a personal connection to faith. Harvey elevates a common object to the level of art, prompting us to consider the significance of the materials, making, and social context in understanding its full meaning.