Lady Caroline Howard 1778

Joshua Reynolds painted Lady Caroline Howard using oil on canvas; a standard practice for portraiture in the eighteenth century. But look closer at the material splendor of Lady Caroline’s satin dress and silk cape. These textiles, dyed in rich colors, speak to the labor involved in producing them. The satin, with its smooth, reflective surface, was the result of a complex weaving process, requiring skilled artisans and specialized looms. The silk came from silkworms, carefully cultivated and harvested, before being spun into thread. Reynolds has rendered these materials with great care, but it is not just the artistry of the painting that impresses. Rather, it is the social context that is highlighted through this dazzling display of wealth and refinement. The painting prompts us to consider the vast network of production and consumption that underpinned elite society. Thinking about the materials and making of this artwork encourages us to reflect on the relationship between art, labor, and class.