Two Gentlemen Shooting 

George Stubbs made this painting, Two Gentlemen Shooting, using oil paint on canvas. The smooth, almost glassy, finish he achieved was typical of the period. But consider how the material realism is achieved. Stubbs wasn’t just making a pleasing picture; he was deeply invested in representing the world as accurately as possible. The texture of the men’s clothing, the sheen of the dogs’ coats, even the dampness of the earth – all are meticulously rendered. Stubbs was famed for his anatomical studies of horses. He went to extreme lengths to understand and depict the animal form, an approach he extends to the entire scene before us. His approach collapses any distinction between art and craft. This is not just painting, but a form of material and social record-keeping. It's a testimony to Stubbs' commitment to understanding the world through close observation and skilled representation.