Winter 1740

Jacob de Wit created ‘Winter’ with oil on canvas to mimic the look of a plaster relief. The artist, active in the 18th century, specialized in these kinds of trompe l'oeil or "fool the eye" paintings. Look closely, and you'll see he has rendered the cherubic figures in monochrome, with careful gradations of light and shadow. This reinforces the illusion of three-dimensionality that would normally be created by a sculptor. These paintings would have been embedded into the architecture of wealthy people's homes, giving the impression of classical sculpture at a fraction of the cost. Think of it: rather than expensive marble, and the skilled labor to carve it, you could have a painter achieve a similar effect. So, while De Wit was clearly a highly talented artist, we also see the influence of a burgeoning consumer society at play in this charming image. By understanding how materials and processes intersect, we gain insight into broader social and economic dynamics, blurring the lines between fine art and craft.