Mrs Robert Trotter of Bush 1789

George Romney made this portrait of Mrs. Robert Trotter of Bush with oil on canvas. Look closely and you'll see how Romney built up the image through layers of thin paint, called glazes, to give a sense of luminosity to the sitter's skin and clothing. The artist had to understand his materials intimately to achieve this level of realism, particularly in the textures of silk and skin. Beyond the skill required to produce this illusionism, the portrait represents the labor of others. The sitter’s garments, complete with blue ribbons and a large hat, were only available through extensive global trade networks, and the hands of many laborers. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can appreciate the portrait not just as an image of a woman, but as a material object deeply embedded in the social and economic history of its time. This allows us to challenge the traditional distinction between fine art and craft.