Makaava lapsi, luonnos maalaukseen Jouluaamu 1888

Albert Edelfelt created this sketch in preparation for his painting 'Christmas Morning' using oil paint on canvas. The materiality of oil paint lends itself beautifully to the depiction of soft skin and crisp white linen. The visible brushstrokes and unfinished areas give us insight into Edelfelt's process, and the techniques involved in capturing the fleeting image of a sleeping child. The fluid handling of the medium, combined with the loose brushwork, creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy. We are drawn into the scene, as though catching a glimpse of a private moment. Oil painting, while refined over centuries, relies on industrial production for its pigments and canvases. By appreciating the material processes and techniques involved in creating 'Makaava lapsi', we can see how it transcends the traditional divide between fine art and craft, and get a greater appreciation for the work involved in producing it.