Cassandra 

Adrian Gottlieb painted ‘Cassandra’ using traditional oil paints, a process that invites us to consider the labor involved. Notice the smooth gradations of color across the figure's skin, achieved through a meticulous layering of translucent glazes. This is a time-intensive process. Each layer of paint must be allowed to dry before the next is applied, a slow build-up that gives the painting its luminous quality. There is a traditional, Renaissance-like quality to this portrait, which can sometimes obscure the amount of technical skill and patience required to complete it. While the finished painting may seem effortless, the process is rooted in the artist's practice. In today's society, where we are used to instant gratification and mass production, appreciating the work involved becomes an important form of critique. It encourages us to question the value we place on human skill and effort, and the role of art in reflecting these values.