The Festival 1875

Edward John Poynter created 'The Festival' using oil paint, a common medium for academic painting in the 19th century. Poynter’s technique emphasizes smooth surfaces and meticulous detail, an approach that allowed him to create the illusion of classical realism. The marble architecture is rendered with careful attention to texture, while the flowing garments of the women add to the overall sense of idealized beauty. Look closely at the details. Observe the making of the rose garland. This brings the labour into view, contrasting with the air of leisure and celebration. While the painting appears to represent a timeless scene of classical beauty, it also speaks to the Victorian era's fascination with ancient cultures, and, in doing so, obscures the labor involved in creating such an image. The labor of the artist, and the labor of the women depicted, are both essential to the work’s meaning. By considering the work involved in making the rose garland, we see beyond the surface of the painting.