Portrait of a Woman 1767

This portrait of a woman, made by Samuel Cotes, is painted in watercolor on ivory, a precious material in the 18th century. Ivory was prized for its smooth, fine-grained surface, which allowed artists like Cotes to render delicate details and subtle gradations of tone. The silver frame would have been made by a silversmith, demonstrating the collaboration of artistic and artisanal practices. The choice of ivory reflects the sitter’s social standing, as it was an expensive material, linking the artwork to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. As an object, this miniature portrait has a great amount of skilled work involved in its production process, including not just painting, but carving, jewelry, and other crafts. The artist is not just applying the paint but is working with the material properties of ivory. Understanding the full meaning of this artwork requires considering the significance of materials and making, challenging any traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.