Honoré Charles Baston De Lariboisière 1815

This is Honoré Charles Baston De Lariboisière, painted by Antoine-Jean Gros using oil on canvas. Gros has depicted his sitter using the traditional methods of applying thin layers of paint, to carefully build up the likeness. But it is the sitter’s clothing that reveals more about the context of this artwork. The highly embellished military uniform has a fur collar, and gold braiding around the shoulders, emphasizing the importance of craft in the production of status. These details indicate the great skill involved in tailoring and embroidery. They prompt us to think about the labor involved in making clothing like this – all the different makers involved in the production, from weavers to tailors to metal workers. While this painting is certainly about the individual, it also reflects a whole system of production. It’s a reminder to consider the many hands that contribute to even the seemingly simplest of artifacts.