Mother and Child 1827

Thomas Sully made this touching image of a Mother and Child using oil paints, and the artist has certainly made the most of that medium. Oil paint is unique in that it allows artists to blend colors and create soft, luminous effects. Sully truly understood how to make the most of the medium's workability. Looking closely, you can see the layers upon layers of thin paint, or glazes. This was a favored technique in academic painting of the time. It allows the artist to slowly build up the image in tones, blending colors seamlessly. The result is a sense of volume and realism. But this effect can be deceptive. While the painting technique emphasizes technical skill, and mastery, it also obscures the labor involved. This type of idealized domestic scene was very popular among the upper and middle classes. In these paintings, women are portrayed in a highly traditional role, but the work and effort required to achieve this ideal are hidden from view.