Child in Bed 1854

This painting, "Child in Bed", was made by Thomas Sully with oil on canvas. The smooth, almost porcelain-like finish of the child's face is a testament to Sully's skill with the brush, a process that involves building up thin layers of pigment to create luminosity and depth. The visible brushwork in the drapery and background is especially interesting because it indicates the speed of the execution, done with considerable artistic license. The way Sully has worked with the paint medium - the oil itself - is critical. Note how he captures the soft texture of the bedding with broad, fluid strokes. This approach reveals the inherent qualities of the oil paint, its ability to blend seamlessly and to capture the play of light and shadow. In its time, such a portrait might have been commissioned by a family to commemorate a child's life, and the artist's technique would have been highly valued. Understanding how this painting was made, and the material qualities of oil paint, helps us appreciate Sully’s technical skill, and the social context in which his work was created.