Sir Henry Irving 1880

Jules Bastien-Lepage made this oil painting of Sir Henry Irving, using traditional methods. Bastien-Lepage built the image through layers of brushstrokes, a labor-intensive process. Look closely, and you can almost see the artist’s hand moving across the canvas, building up form with each stroke. The dark background contrasts sharply with Irving’s pale face and hands, drawing our attention to his expression and gesture. The application of paint is quite conventional but the real story is in the materiality of the figure itself. The painting's power lies in its ability to capture the likeness and presence of Sir Henry Irving, a leading actor of his time. But it also speaks to the labor involved in creating such a portrait, both on the part of the artist and the sitter. There’s a real collaboration between artist and actor here. Ultimately, appreciating the materials, making, and context of this painting allows us to move beyond the traditional hierarchy of fine art.