Miserere 

Michael C. Hayes painted Miserere in the late 20th century, employing the traditional medium of oil on canvas. This choice of material and method is significant, embedding the artwork within a rich history of figurative painting. Hayes' technique, while masterful, also brings up questions of labor. The artist's hand is evident in the meticulous layering of paint, creating texture and depth. This stands in contrast to the more mechanized forms of production prevalent in contemporary society. The painting's subject matter, a scene evoking medieval chivalry, further complicates the relationship between labor and value. The figures' armor and weaponry speak to skilled craftsmanship, yet also symbolize violence and social hierarchy. The work asks us to consider the cost of such craftsmanship, both in terms of human effort and its place within a larger socio-political framework. By embracing traditional materials and techniques, Hayes invites us to reconsider the value of handmade objects in an era of mass production, and prompts us to look more closely at the labor and context embedded in visual art.