Melanie Becker, f. Wolff 1862

L.A. Schou painted this portrait of Melanie Becker, née Wolff, using oil on canvas. The smooth surface of the painting is created through the manipulation of the oil paint, a material prized for its capacity to blend and create a realistic likeness. Schou carefully applied layers of pigment to build up the form and capture the light on Melanie's face, creating a sense of depth and volume. The fine brushwork is especially evident in the rendering of the hair and the delicate lace collar, demonstrating the artist’s command of the medium. The social context of this work is tied to the traditions of portraiture and the rising merchant class in the 19th century. Portraiture, with its time-honored techniques, served as a means of recording status and identity, with the labour of the artist reflecting the wealth of the patron. The artist's skill in blending and layering oil paint, combined with the sitter's dress, speaks to a culture in which skilled labor and material possessions are valued. Paying attention to the materials, making, and the social setting lets us better understand the artwork, questioning the split between fine art and craft.