Josephine Bonaparte (study) 1805

Pierre-Paul Prud'hon made this study of Josephine Bonaparte, likely on paper, using black and white chalk. It is interesting to consider the process that Prud'hon used here. Chalk is a humble material, requiring only some powdered pigment and a binding agent. It allows for a sketch-like quality, with broad strokes to define shadows and delicate lines to capture the details of Josephine’s face. The simplicity of the materials and the speed of execution suggest a degree of intimacy and immediacy; chalk lends itself to capturing the subject's likeness in a candid moment. While it's just a study, the portrait provides an interesting glimpse into the modes of production of art at the time; a balance between commissioned work and the quick sketch that might have been used to capture likeness and form. The medium offered a means of production which balanced these demands of labor, politics, and consumption. In the end, the choice of material shapes not only the appearance of the artwork, but also the social and cultural context in which it was created.