St. Hubertus 1822

Johann David Passavant painted *St. Hubertus* using oil on canvas sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The smooth surface and detailed realism result from layers of thin paint, a technique refined over centuries. Oil paint consists of pigment, held in suspension with oil which hardens as it dries. This process is very slow, allowing artists to work and rework the image over long periods. But it’s more than just a product of material. Passavant was part of a 19th century turn towards traditional religion and feudal social structures. The painting itself romanticizes the rituals of hunting and displays the material wealth of the aristocratic class, reflecting the social environment of the period. Next time you see an oil painting, think not only of the image it presents, but also of the many hands and processes involved in its creation, and the social context it reflects.