Mirror Glance 

Robert McGinnis, born in 1926, created "Mirror Glance" using traditional oil painting techniques. Here, the artist uses the medium to portray a contemporary nude. McGinnis’s process involves layering paint to achieve a luminous and lifelike quality. Oil paints allow for subtle gradations of color and tone. His process is reflective of the long tradition of academic painting, where skilled artists use precise methods to achieve realistic and idealized representations. But it also raises the question, for whom is this painting produced? McGinnis’s work is rooted in the tradition of fine art, yet his emphasis on technique and material reflects a deep engagement with craft. It emphasizes how the materials, techniques, and social context all play a role in shaping our understanding of art. This approach challenges the traditional divide between fine art and craft.