Portrait of Mrs. W.J.S. van Alphen, Baroness van Reede van Oudtshoorn 1854

Raden Saleh painted this portrait of Mrs. W.J.S. van Alphen in 1852 using oil on canvas, a technique well-established in European painting traditions. But it is important to remember that Saleh was Javanese, and his technical virtuosity was hard-won. The smooth surface and refined detail speaks to his mastery of the medium, and he uses the qualities of oil paint – its capacity for blending, layering, and creating a luminous depth – to render the textures of the sitter's clothing, such as the sheen of her dress. This is particularly noticeable on her velvety black dress, offset by the stark white lace trim. Consider the work involved in making such fine material, as well as the labor required to keep it clean. Saleh’s skill allowed him to move in elevated social circles. But his background reminds us that artistic technique never exists in a vacuum; it is always connected to the wider social and cultural context in which it is produced.