Russell Sturgis 1822

Gilbert Stuart painted this portrait of Russell Sturgis using oil on canvas. Stuart has chosen materials from the traditional fine art world, oil paint, and canvas, and employed the traditional technique of representational painting. But it’s the subject’s attire that is really interesting. He is enveloped in a great fur stole or coat, and his hands, while clasped, are soft and unworked, and there is a general air of wealth. We see a man who is benefiting from the abundant resources of North America. Consider where this fur came from. Perhaps from a beaver pelt, one of the most sought-after items in North America at the time. This relates to the labour of indigenous populations, and trappers, and the market for these materials, both locally and in Europe. We can see that materials, making, and context are key to understanding the full meaning of an artwork. This challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.