The Perfume of Roses 1902

Charles Courtney Curran made "The Perfume of Roses" with oil on canvas. The Pre-Raphaelite style relies on precise brushwork, and close observation of nature. Look closely, and you can see Curran's mastery of the oil medium, using delicate glazes and careful layering to capture the soft, ethereal quality of light filtering through the rose garden. The work itself reflects a culture of leisure and privilege. The garments are carefully rendered, and the artist engaged with the skilled traditions of both fine arts and fashion. The subject matter also speaks to this cultural context. Roses are not just beautiful; they are a luxury item, symbols of wealth and status. The artist clearly wants us to see the immense amount of work involved in creating such beauty. The work reminds us that even seemingly effortless beauty has its own kind of labor, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.