Portrait of Stella c. 1859

Frederic Leighton painted *Portrait of Stella* using oil paints, a familiar medium to the artist and one that came ready-made for him from an industrial supply chain. The image captures a sitter in profile, her head framed by a white headscarf. Leighton’s work is often associated with the Aesthetic movement, with its focus on beauty and form. But how do we relate it to the social context of its making? Well, the industrial revolution made available paints in pre-mixed colors that were affordable, thus freeing the artist to focus on the creative work. The painting’s smooth surface and subtle gradations of tone speak to Leighton’s skilled application of the oil paint. Notice the layers of glazes that give depth to the skin tones and the delicate rendering of the fabric. Ultimately, understanding the materials and making processes offers insight into the world in which Leighton worked, and challenges traditional hierarchies between art and craft.