Frauenbildnis 

This painting, *Frauenbildnis*, was made by Johann Baptist von Lampi the Elder sometime between the mid-18th and early 19th century. It is made with oil paint, a material that allows for a range of textures and tones. If you look closely, you’ll see how Lampi has used the viscosity of the oil paint to create subtle gradations of light and shadow. The artist expertly employed techniques such as blending and glazing to create this artwork. These approaches are often tied to the patronage of a wealthy and elite society, where the time, skill, and cost of the materials were less of a concern. While it may be easy to simply admire the technical skill of the painter, we might also consider how the modes of production are implicit in the final result. The social status of the sitter is also apparent, which would have required significant resources. Remember, materials, making, and context are keys to understanding the full meaning of any work of art.