Facsimile Painting of an Alabaster Statuette 1323 BC

Lancelot Crane made this "Facsimile Painting of an Alabaster Statuette" sometime before 1918, likely with watercolor and pencil. While it depicts an alabaster statuette, Crane's work is a painting, a handmade copy of an ancient object. Consider the work involved in both making the original statuette, and then later, Crane's meticulous act of rendering. The physical properties of alabaster—its smooth texture and luminous, translucent quality—are skillfully captured using only pigment. This underscores the labor involved in representing three-dimensional form on a two-dimensional surface. The artistic value lies not just in the object depicted, but in Crane's dedication to his craft. His painting invites us to appreciate the time, skill, and attention required to create this likeness. It challenges our assumptions about authenticity and value. By focusing on the skill involved in Crane's work, we recognize the equal importance of both fine art and craft.