Far away thoughts 

Cesare Auguste Detti made "Far Away Thoughts" using oil paints on canvas. The artist employed brushes of varying sizes to render smooth surfaces and fine details, such as the velvety texture of the man's breeches and the delicate feather in his hat. The application of paint creates a sense of depth and realism, contrasting with the dreamlike figures in the background. Detti’s technique references the traditions of both Renaissance and Baroque painting; a sense of historical revival is created through the composition, lighting, and depiction of fabrics. It is worth noting that such fabrics would have been produced by skilled artisans, and then circulated via global trade. The painting, therefore, becomes not only a portrait of an individual, but of a whole economy of labor and class. Considering all these aspects, it's clear that materials, making, and social context are all vital to understanding its full meaning.