Study of LIght and Reflection 1891

Lilla Cabot Perry's "Study of Light and Reflection" is an oil painting, likely made with commercially produced pigments and canvas—common materials for an artist of her time. What's interesting here is how Perry coaxes a vibrant image out of these materials. The paint is applied in loose, impressionistic strokes. Look closely, and you'll see how she's built up layers of color to capture the light as it falls on the girl's face and clothing. Notice the juxtaposition of the cool blues of the dress against the warm tones of her skin, achieved through subtle variations in hue and intensity of color. The canvas itself would have been a product of industrial manufacture, stretched and primed, providing a smooth surface. Yet, it's Perry's hand, her deliberate application of paint, that transforms these ordinary materials into something extraordinary. In doing so, she elevates a simple domestic scene to a study of light, color, and form. This challenges traditional distinctions between the work of fine art and the craft of painting.