Sir Robert Clayton 

Thomas Gainsborough painted Sir Robert Clayton, using oil on canvas. Gainsborough was a master of capturing the textures and surfaces of the material world. Note the way the light catches the gold trim on Clayton's coat, which would have been sewn by skilled needleworkers. The lace at his cuffs, painstakingly made by hand. Consider the social context: Clayton was not only a politician but also a successful merchant. His fine clothing speaks to the labor of many individuals, transformed into a display of wealth and status. And of course, the paint itself is a material to consider. Pigments such as ultramarine were derived from precious minerals, literally ground down to create color. This portrait reminds us that art is always made of something, by someone, for someone, and within networks of economic and social exchange.