Louise Harduin 1831

Louise Harduin was painted by Camille Corot around 1831, using oil on canvas. Looking closely, the smoothness of the paintwork gives the impression of continuous cloth with the model’s clothing - which has been constructed through labor with particular woven textiles. Corot’s application of thin layers gives the artwork an understated beauty, but what’s more interesting is how these materials have been put together through modes of production. The painting gives us a glimpse of labor through brushstrokes and colors. It also invites us to think about the subject’s own social position in society. The portrait speaks about the relationship between individual expression and economic reality. Paying attention to these details allows us to see beyond the surface, and appreciate the depth of craft, history, and social context that Corot brings to the painting.