Diadumenè 1883

Edward John Poynter made this painting of a young woman, titled "Diadumenè", sometime in the late 19th century with oil on canvas. The oil paint is carefully applied, with precise rendering giving an almost photographic quality. The classical scene is one of leisure and beauty, and would have certainly appealed to the sensibilities of the Victorian era. But what of the making process? Oil painting has its own kind of labor. Pigments are ground, mixed, and layered, demanding time and skill, and so it is perhaps easy to forget the labor of marble quarrying and stone carving that would have produced the setting for Poynter's scene. Looking closely, we notice the intricate mosaic floor, the carved columns, and the marble walls – all testifying to the artistry of the ancient world. They also remind us of the vast amount of labor required to produce these surroundings. Next time you see a painting like this, remember, it is not only the artist's labor that counts, but also that of many unsung makers throughout history.