Portrait of Josefa OrtÍz de Dominguez 1795

This is a portrait of Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez by José Francisco Rodríguez. It's an intimate likeness, barely three inches in either dimension, likely made in the early 19th century. But what's most remarkable here is the material. It's not painted, but actually modeled in wax, a medium prized for its ability to capture fine detail. You can see the texture in her hair, the delicate lace of her dress. Wax modeling was a highly skilled tradition, requiring a steady hand and deep knowledge of the material. It's easy to imagine the artist working painstakingly, building up the form bit by bit. Wax was also prized for its capacity to imitate flesh, making it a natural material for portraiture. These small wax portraits were luxury objects, affordable only to the wealthy. They speak to a culture of both privilege and refined craftsmanship.