Washington Family 1850

Thomas Sully painted this scene of the Washington family using oil paint, a medium that allows for rich color and the blending of tones, here used to create a sense of light and air. Oil paint is made by grinding pigment with oil, often linseed, a process that requires skill and patience, but allows the artist to capture a scene with incredible detail. Sully uses thin layers of paint to build up the image, creating a sense of depth and volume. You can see how the brushstrokes are visible, adding texture and movement to the composition. The visible marks are a record of the artist's hand and the time taken to create the artwork. The act of painting was historically associated with the upper classes because the materials were expensive, and artists needed leisure time to create. By emphasizing the labor and material involved in painting, we gain a deeper appreciation for the art, and we can see that traditional art is as much about craft as it is about concept.