Millbank 1818

Charles Willson Peale created this landscape using oil paints, a traditional medium for fine art. But it is important to remember that oil paint is also, essentially, a craft material, a mixture of pigment and oil ground together to a smooth consistency. The inherent qualities of the paint, its viscosity and opacity, have a great effect on the final image. Notice the way Peale uses thin washes of color to create depth and atmosphere, layering translucent glazes to build up the tones of the sky and the verdant field. The application of paint in "Millbank" has broader social implications, too. Peale himself was an advocate for American manufacturing and self-sufficiency. His choice of oil paint, a readily available material, reflects his commitment to promoting local industry and artistic independence. When we consider the materials and processes that went into making "Millbank," we gain a deeper understanding of Peale's artistic vision, as well as the social and economic context in which he worked.