The Love Letter 1913

John William Godward made this painting with oil on canvas. Notice how he used a smooth, almost photographic style. This was achieved by mixing colors and layering them slowly to capture the texture of the dress and the marble. The illusion of texture is important here. Godward wants you to believe that you are looking at real fabric and stone. The fashion and furniture in the painting are from an idealized classical past. The artist is trying to bring this vision to life, creating a sense of luxury and leisure. However, like many paintings, the making of this artwork was not particularly luxurious or leisurely. It was made through the hard labor and intense technical training of the artist. This is something to keep in mind when viewing any artwork - the end result is always made by a person in a particular time and place.