Portrait of an old woman 

Editor: Here we have "Portrait of an old woman" by Vasily Perov. The details in her face seem very realistic. I’m wondering, what can you tell us about the making of this piece? Curator: Considering Perov’s commitment to realism, it's crucial to examine the materiality of his artistic project. Notice how he meticulously crafted the textures, not just of her skin and clothing, but also the humble stick she clutches. The physical act of painting, applying pigment to canvas to represent laboring hands, transforms the image into a commentary on the lives of the common folk, right? Editor: That's a good point. So, are you saying the materials he chose, and how he used them, were essential for the artwork’s message? Curator: Absolutely. Perov’s realism is inseparable from the way he employs paint. He highlights the tangible and unvarnished aspects of life through a dedication to a down-to-earth approach to representation, challenging any romantic idealism of the time. The brushstrokes themselves communicate a certain truthfulness about the subject, her weariness evident in every line and shadow. We could ask ourselves: What other material choices might have undermined his intended meaning? Editor: So, he really used the physical process of painting to draw attention to this woman’s social standing, the struggles ordinary people faced… Curator: Precisely. He made her visible through the labor of his own artistic production, suggesting an equality between the subject and the artist. Editor: That connection hadn't occurred to me. Thanks! I will never look at portraiture in the same way again. Curator: It’s always rewarding to connect the artistic process to the stories it tells.