Mrs. Charles Frederick Possibly 1794

George Romney painted this portrait of Mrs. Charles Frederick, using oil paint on canvas. Look closely, and you can see the textures of the brushstrokes, especially in the background and in the sitter’s clothing. Romney built up the image layer by layer, mixing pigments with oil and applying them with brushes of varying sizes. The choice of materials gives the painting its characteristic sheen and depth of color, allowing Romney to capture the likeness and social status of his sitter. The canvas itself, made from woven linen or hemp, was a crucial element. Stretched and primed, it provided the support for Romney's artistic vision. The pigments, derived from minerals and organic sources, had to be carefully ground and mixed with linseed oil to achieve the desired consistency and hue. The amount of work involved reflects a culture in which portraiture was a sought-after way for the elite to display their status. Considering the materials and making of this portrait helps us understand its cultural significance, inviting us to look beyond the surface and consider the world of artistic production that made it possible.