The Chastisement of Luxury 1817 - 1870

Eugenio Lucas created ‘The Chastisement of Luxury’ using brush and brown wash on laid paper. Rather than focusing on meticulous detail, Lucas embraced the fluidity and spontaneity of the wash technique, allowing the material itself to guide his artistic process. The brown wash, applied with broad strokes, gives the artwork a sense of immediacy and dynamism. Lucas skillfully manipulates the wash to create varying tones and textures, adding depth and drama to the composition. The loose brushwork blurs fine lines of art and craft, lending an expressive quality to the work, while the subtle variations in tone create a sense of atmosphere and movement. This painterly quality emphasizes the artist's hand and intention. ‘The Chastisement of Luxury’ offers a glimpse into the social and cultural values of 19th-century Spain. It challenges us to reconsider traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the expressive potential of humble materials like paper and brown wash.