Karl Fyodorovich Ol'dekop, Russian General 

Editor: Here we have George Dawe's portrait of Karl Fyodorovich Ol'dekop. Painted with oils, it resides here at the Hermitage. I’m immediately struck by the crispness of his uniform against the soft, hazy background. What can you tell us about the creation and consumption of works like these? Curator: From a materialist perspective, consider the layers of labor embedded within this painting. Think about the extraction of the pigments used for the oil paint, perhaps from distant lands, and the production of the canvas itself. Then, there's the craft involved in tailoring Ol'dekop’s uniform, a symbol of power constructed through material means. The value placed on this portrait isn’t just about aesthetic appreciation, but about understanding the socio-economic context that allowed its creation and elevated its subject. Editor: So, you’re saying it's less about artistic genius and more about...systems? Curator: Precisely! We often overlook how the materials themselves contribute to the artwork’s meaning. For instance, the choice of oil paint allowed for a certain richness and longevity, signaling wealth and permanence. And, who was the patron commissioning these portraits? What was the social function of reproducing images of power like Ol'dekop's? Editor: That's interesting! I hadn't thought about the specific choice of oil paint conveying a social message about the patron’s power. It moves away from simply viewing the aesthetic surface, and towards interrogating its underlying political economy. Curator: It encourages us to move beyond mere admiration, prompting a deeper investigation of its production and purpose in society. Every element—the gold trim, the medals— speaks to labour, production, value, and display, rather than being simple artistic choices. What are your thoughts? Editor: I realize now there's a complex story of resources and status behind what seems like a simple portrait. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, analyzing its materiality is about understanding its broader function and power, both in the past and today.