Mademoiselle Chacrylique sur Toileagner de La Grange 

Mademoiselle Chacrylique sur Toileagner de La Grange was created by Maurice Quentin de La Tour using pastels on paper. The powdery nature of pastels is evident in the soft, almost ethereal quality of the portrait, a technique that the artist mastered to capture the likeness and spirit of his subjects. Pastels, unlike oils, require no drying time, allowing for a more immediate and responsive creative process. This directness lends a certain intimacy to the work, as if the artist's hand were still present on the surface. The colors are gently blended, giving a sense of depth and volume. Pastel work was highly prized in the 18th century, and represents a particular intersection of skill and availability; pastel sticks had to be manufactured with precision, a division of labor that made this kind of image possible. So, considering the materials and processes used, we can begin to appreciate the subtle ways in which material and making contribute to the overall aesthetic and meaning of this artwork. It challenges us to expand our definition of art history by blurring the lines between high art and craft.