Innocence 

Eugen von Blaas painted Innocence with oil on canvas, with the date currently unknown. The artist meticulously applied the paint, building layer upon layer to create the luminous skin tones and the delicate lace. Notice how Blaas has used the smooth texture of the oil paint to capture the soft, youthful features of the woman. This material quality underscores the theme of innocence, reflecting the artist’s skill in manipulating the medium to convey a specific aesthetic. Consider the labour involved in such a detailed and realistic portrayal. Blaas engaged with established traditions of academic painting, where technical mastery and precision were highly valued. This approach is connected to wider social issues of class and representation, where the skilled labour of the artist is used to depict idealized images of beauty. In doing so, Blaas challenges the distinction between fine art and craft, celebrating skill and technique as essential components of artistic expression.