The Third Duke of Dorset’s Hunter with a Groom and a Dog 1768

George Stubbs painted "The Third Duke of Dorset’s Hunter with a Groom and a Dog" with oil paints, a medium that allowed him to capture fine details and textures. Oil paint, traditionally made from pigment mixed with linseed oil, involves a slow and deliberate process. Stubbs applies layer upon layer, allowing each to dry, to create a rich, luminous effect. The smooth, almost porcelain-like finish of the horse’s coat, and the atmospheric rendering of the landscape, are a testament to his mastery of the medium. But beyond the technical skill, Stubbs's choice of oil paint also speaks to the social context of his work. Oil painting had long been associated with wealth and status, and was a medium of the European elite. The painting immortalizes not only the Duke's horse but also the Duke's social standing, supported by an entire industry of labor and materials. By appreciating the material and techniques that Stubbs used, we understand how deeply interwoven art and craft are.