Arthur George Perkin 

Richard Jack's portrait of Arthur George Perkin, is made with oil paint on canvas, materials that have a long association with the representation of wealth and status. The layering of oil paint, built up in tones and textures to create a likeness, speaks to the labour involved in the making of an artwork, and the skill involved in the handling of materials. Jack has used thin glazes to build up the colors of Perkin's academic robes. Note the contrast with the dark background and formal black suit, all of which set off the sitter's face and hands. Consider, too, the labour that went into the making of the textiles that Perkin wears. The weaving, dyeing, and tailoring speak to a whole system of production, intended to mark Perkin as a figure of authority and accomplishment. All in all, this is a painting that shows how materials, making, and social context intertwine.