Miss Betty Pollock 1911

John William Waterhouse created this oil painting, Miss Betty Pollock, with brushes and canvas. It's clear Waterhouse was engaged with the traditions of academic painting, but also shows the influence of Impressionism in his looser brushwork, and heightened sense of light. The materiality of oil paint allowed for a wide range of textural effects: thin washes to create the dreamy atmosphere of the background, and thicker impasto to capture the folds of her dress. Notice the way he describes the fabric. It has been produced in a factory, and has a quality that speaks to the rise of consumer culture in the late 19th century. Ultimately, Waterhouse's skill lies in his ability to transform ordinary materials into an evocative image. Appreciating the skill and labor involved, and the social context of its making, enriches our experience of the artwork.