Porträt einer Dame mit Perlenkette und Pelzstola 1900

Franz von Lenbach’s portrait captures a lady adorned with a pearl necklace and fur stole using oil on canvas. The texture of the fur and the subtle sheen of the pearls are rendered with delicate brushwork, highlighting their material richness. The making of such a portrait involved significant labor, not just from the artist, but from those who produced the pigments, wove the canvas, and fashioned the luxurious accessories worn by the sitter. The fur stole, a symbol of wealth, represents the exploitation of animals and the labor of trappers and traders. The pearl necklace signifies both the wealth of its owner, the work of pearl divers, and the artistry of jewelers. Lenbach’s technique reflects academic conventions, yet the material qualities of the painting invite consideration of the social and economic forces embedded in its creation. This portrait invites us to look beyond the surface and consider the complex web of materials, making, and social context that shapes our understanding of fine art.