The love letter 

Vittorio Reggianini painted this genre scene of a young woman with a love letter, probably in the late 19th century. The piece is oil on canvas, a traditional fine art medium. But look closely at the dress, rendered in stunning trompe l’oeil. Notice how Reggianini makes the fabric appear to be a shimmering silk, a textile produced through skilled labor? The process of sericulture involves raising silkworms, harvesting their cocoons, and spinning the delicate fibers. Silk has always been a symbol of luxury, and here, the artist is flaunting his ability to depict it convincingly. The artist also seems to have an eye for interiors and decor, from the red patterned rug, to the subtle marble wall behind the curtain. By depicting these expensive material accouterments, Reggianini highlights the importance of wealth and status in the social context of the time, and reminds us of the many skilled hands that create these luxury commodities.