Paint is the catalyst for the Lapham fortune. The extraction of the paint from the untouched mine on the Lapham farm symbolizes Silas’s determination and desire to work with his relatively meagre resources. He grabs the opportunity that is given to him and turns this into a business empire, famously telling people that he has never turned off the production line of his manufacturing business. The paint is emblematic of Silas’s willingness to do whatever he must to build a fortune. The paint was in the ground, waiting to be extracted by whoever was willing to do so. Silas was able to do what his father was not. Through a combination of luck, opportunity, determination, and hard work, Silas turns his circumstances to his favor.

While paint symbolizes financial opportunity for Silas, it represents emotional sacrifice to Bromfield Corey. Unlike Silas, Bromfield Corey was born into a wealthy family. When he was a young man, he was given the opportunity to travel to Europe and pursue his career as an artist. Bromfield became a talented portrait painter while studying in Rome, even if he lacked the skill to be a truly remarkable artist. Bromfield used paint as a means of personal expression, painting his interpretations of other people in a way that could make a living.