Mrs. Henry Hill c. 1765 - 1770

John Singleton Copley rendered this portrait of Mrs. Henry Hill with oil on canvas. The smooth surface that we see here is achieved by layering thin glazes of paint, one on top of the other. The artist would have built up these layers slowly, beginning with broad strokes to establish the basic composition, and then moving to finer brushes for the details like the pearl necklace and the floral embroidery on her dress. These details are especially revealing. As the clothing and jewelry indicate, Mrs. Hill was a woman of means. The embroidery on her dress, likely silk, shows the labour and artistry that went into producing elite fashion in the 18th century. You can also see it in her elaborate hairstyle, dressed with flowers. Considering the skill involved in painting this portrait, and the craftsmanship evident in the sitter's attire, reminds us that all visual expression depends on physical effort. Even paintings were, and still are, handmade objects.