Diligence Rewarded 1830

"Diligence Rewarded" was painted by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller using oil on canvas. Oil paint is interesting: its fluid consistency allows for layering and blending, but also, it has historically been an expensive material, reflecting the artist’s socio-economic status. Here, the smooth surface of the painting might suggest traditional artistic mastery, but it is at the service of what is being depicted: we are not asked to admire the artist's virtuosity but rather to admire the people in the painting. Notice the carefully rendered textures of the family's traditional clothing. The labor and skill involved in producing these garments are implicit within the painting. By including such details, Waldmüller elevates the everyday lives of the rural working class. In its materiality and making, this artwork challenges distinctions between fine art and craft, reminding us that all creative practices are embedded in a social and economic context.