A Quiet Consort 

Mary Jane Ansell created this enigmatic portrait, "A Quiet Consort", using traditional oil paint on canvas. Ansell skillfully manipulates this medium to achieve a photorealistic depiction of her subject. The smooth, almost porcelain-like texture of the skin is in stark contrast to the detailed rendering of the hair and the butterflies, creating a captivating interplay of textures. Oil paint, known for its versatility, allows for layering and blending, giving the artist the ability to create subtle gradations of color and light. The way Ansell layers the paint imbues the artwork with a sense of depth and realism, while also referencing historical portraiture. The social and cultural significance of oil paint lies in its history as the preferred medium of the European elite, as well as it being so labor intensive. By using oil paint in such a meticulous manner, Ansell invites us to consider how traditional techniques can be employed to create contemporary narratives. This challenges the conventional hierarchies between art and craft.