Portrait of Mrs. Winfield Scott 

Asher Brown Durand rendered this portrait of Mrs. Winfield Scott with oil paint on canvas, a common pairing in early 19th-century American portraiture. Yet, even within the conventions of this medium, Durand's methods are significant. Look closely, and you’ll see the smooth, almost porcelain finish he achieved. This wasn't just about accurately representing Mrs. Scott; it was about idealizing her, placing her within a sphere of wealth and refinement. The layering of glazes and meticulous brushwork speak to hours of labor, a kind of slow, deliberate craftsmanship that stood apart from the burgeoning industrialization of the era. Indeed, the very act of commissioning a portrait like this speaks volumes. It was a status symbol, a way for the well-to-do to literally picture themselves within the emerging American aristocracy. While Durand’s technique might seem traditional, his attention to detail elevates the subject, reinforcing the social hierarchies of his time.