The wealth 1804

Pierre-Paul Prud'hon created this painting, titled "The Wealth," using oil on canvas. Prud'hon’s choice of oil paint is critical here, as he was working at a time when the art world was structured according to strict hierarchies. The artisanal skill of mixing pigments and applying them with precision was, at this time, almost exclusively associated with 'high art'. If he'd instead used a 'lesser' material like pastel, the work would have been considered a craft. Consider how the soft texture and muted tones of the oil paint contribute to the subject’s ethereal, dreamlike quality. Prud'hon's careful blending creates subtle gradations of light and shadow, giving the figure depth and volume. The artist has employed a technique known as sfumato, blurring the outlines of the figure to create a sense of softness and mystery. The smoothness and sheen of the paint surface also invites closer inspection, encouraging an appreciation for the artist's technical virtuosity. By emphasizing the materials and processes used in creating the work, we can better appreciate its social and cultural significance, challenging distinctions between fine art and craft.