Philipp Wilhelm of Brandenburg Schwedt 

Antoine Pesne likely used oil paints and canvas to make this portrait of Philipp Wilhelm of Brandenburg-Schwedt sometime in the 18th century. But if we consider the man himself, the material story becomes more interesting. Look at that armor, rendered with such care. Each plate, each rivet represents hours of labor by skilled artisans, forging metal into protective and symbolic forms. Armor wasn't just defense; it was a statement of power, reflecting the resources and control of the wearer. The cape, the lace, the wig; these too speak of extensive production, of global trade networks that brought together materials and skilled labor, all to construct an image of aristocratic authority. This portrait, then, isn't just paint on canvas, it’s a material record of social structures and economic systems. It prompts us to recognize the artistry embedded in even the most functional or decorative of objects. It challenges the separation of 'art' from the broader world of making.