The proud cavalier 

Cesare Auguste Detti painted "The Proud Cavalier" using oil on canvas, a medium steeped in tradition. But the way Detti handles this traditional medium is what gives the work its impact. Note how the heavy impasto of the paint mimics the textures of the fabrics and armor he depicts. You can almost feel the weight of the polished steel and the plushness of the cavalier's cloak. Detti's technique highlights the labor involved in creating both the painting and the lifestyle it represents. The countless brushstrokes needed to capture the details of the cavalier's attire and the armor echo the labor and resources required to produce these objects in real life. This is a world of privilege, and Detti wants us to consider the social and economic systems that underpin it. By drawing attention to the material qualities of both the painting and the depicted objects, Detti invites us to think about the relationship between art, labor, and social status.