William Vincent 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have Denman Waldo Ross's "William Vincent," a portrait. The brushstrokes are so visible! What strikes you about the materials and process at play here? Curator: Notice the canvas itself; its texture is not completely obscured. Ross’s application of paint remains evident, drawing attention to the labor involved in creating this image. Consider how that labor relates to the sitter's own social class or occupation. Editor: So, the materials themselves become part of the story? Curator: Precisely! And how the availability and cost of those materials might have shaped the artist's decisions. It makes you consider the value judgements we place on art, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely! It really changes how I see the piece. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Considering the means of production always adds another layer.