Philip c. 1632

Anthony van Dyck painted this portrait of Philip, Lord Wharton around 1632, using oil on canvas. The material of oil paint is key here; its capacity to create a luminous, enameled surface perfectly captured the luxurious fabrics worn by aristocrats like Wharton. The rich golden yellow of his shawl, for instance, practically glows. This wasn't just about showing off wealth. The making of these paintings involved a complex studio system, with apprentices grinding pigments and preparing canvases. Van Dyck himself was a master of brushwork and glazing techniques, patiently layering thin coats of paint to achieve the desired optical effects. Consider the labor involved, from mining the raw materials for the pigments to weaving the fabrics. This reveals the intricate web of production that underpinned elite society. By focusing on material and making, we see how this portrait is tied to broader social issues of labor, politics, and consumption.