Portrait of a young girl at the well 

Narcisse-Virgilio Diaz painted this oil on canvas portrait of a young girl, sometime in the mid-19th century. Diaz was known for his painterly style, and this work exemplifies that, particularly in the blending of the girl’s skin and the roughness of the well. Note the visible brushstrokes, and the textures he coaxes from the paint surface. His chosen medium, oil paint, allowed for the subtle gradations of tone, from light to dark, that gives the portrait its character and realism. The artwork's material and composition also reflects the social context of the time, showing a romanticized view of rural life. Yet, the act of painting itself is a kind of labor, and Diaz's skill in manipulating paint is evident. The composition isn’t exactly radical, but it is a reminder that even traditional forms can be imbued with value through the act of making. This challenges the distinction between high art and craft, emphasizing the importance of process in understanding the full meaning of the artwork.