Portrait of Pauline in Green Dress 

Philipp Otto Runge painted this portrait of Pauline around 1805, using oil on canvas. Consider the material reality of oil paint in this work; traditionally prepared by hand-grinding pigment with oil, the labor-intensive process speaks to the conventions of fine art at the time. Runge's mastery is evident in the smooth gradations of tone across Pauline's skin and the subtle sheen of her dress, showcasing the versatility and expressive potential of the medium. The application of paint is smooth, almost porcelain-like, requiring extensive labor and a refined skill with brushes. The artist is, in effect, doing piecework, mastering the alchemical recipes of the studio and painstakingly applying them to the canvas, layer after layer. When we appreciate such a painting, it’s important to remember the sheer amount of human effort it represents. We should always be attentive to the material conditions of art.