Elizabeth Panton, Later Lady Arundell of Wardour, as Saint Catherine 1689

Editor: Here we see Benedetto Gennari's portrait, "Elizabeth Panton, Later Lady Arundell of Wardour, as Saint Catherine," whose date is unknown. I am drawn to how the artist used luxurious fabrics for her dress. What can you tell me about Gennari's approach to materials and his painting process? Curator: Note the careful rendering of the textile; it speaks to a patron class that valued material wealth. Consider how the pigments themselves were sourced, traded, and processed, reflecting global networks of consumption. How does that materiality shape our understanding of the subject's identity and status? Editor: That's fascinating! I had only considered the aesthetic value of the fabrics. I guess there is a whole system behind that. Curator: Precisely. Reflecting on the means of art production expands our view of art and society.