Final answer:
Commercial portrait painters have used artifices to make portraits more flattering to their subjects, balancing aesthetic representation with economic necessity. This practice reflects the complex relationship between art, cultural context, and commerce.
Step-by-step explanation:
For centuries, commercial portrait painters have strived to balance artistic truth with the commercial need to make portraits more appealing to their patrons. This often involves using artifices, which are subtle alterations or enhancements to make the likeness more attractive than the actual subject. The modern understanding of art—which includes historical, economic, and aesthetic dimensions—indicates that art's beauty is influenced by cultural context and the artist's desire to represent truth while appealing to clients.
From ancient Roman painters to modern artists catering to a bourgeois audience, the creation of portraits has involved a mix of aesthetic sensibility and economic consideration. Techniques such as the use of atmospheric perspective or altering skin tones have historically been employed to create portraits that portray the subject in the best light while still conveying sophistication and talent. Even though this practice may not align with pure aesthetics, it reflects the evolution of art as influenced by cultural contexts and the needs of the art patrons.