Eliezer of Damascus 1860

William Dyce created this oil-on-canvas painting, Eliezer of Damascus, sometime in the mid-19th century. Dyce has captured the texture of cloth to great effect here; the white shawl draped over Eliezer's shoulders, the red head covering, even the fabric of his beard, all rendered with incredible attention to detail. The layering of oil paint allows us to see how the material falls and folds around the figure. Dyce, who trained in both Edinburgh and Rome, was interested in the Pre-Raphaelite movement, which celebrated the meticulous observation of nature. His choice of oil paint also connects him to older traditions of European art, especially the tradition of portraiture which catered to wealthy patrons. Ultimately, a painting is an object of labor. The artist must prepare their canvas, mix pigments, and skillfully apply these to create an illusion of depth and form. By understanding the artist’s painstaking craft we can more fully appreciate the social and historical context of the artwork.