Christ in Pieta 1497

This is "Christ in Pieta", made by Pietro Perugino, likely in the late 15th or early 16th century, using oil paint on wood. The physical nature of oil paint greatly influences the appearance of this work. Perugino painstakingly applied layer upon layer of oil paint to achieve a smooth surface. In the period the painting was made, creating oil paint involved grinding dry pigments into linseed oil. These materials were sourced through trade networks, linking Perugino's studio to wider economies of labor and exchange. The subtle blending of tones, from the pale flesh of Christ to the rich colors of the garments, demonstrates the artist's mastery of the medium. Paint was applied in thin glazes to create a luminous effect, reflective of the divine nature of the scene. The creation of such a refined artwork in the Renaissance was a highly skilled trade, with studios functioning like workshops, where assistants would prepare the materials while the master artist focused on the final composition. When viewing an artwork, it's easy to forget all the work and materials that went into it. By paying attention to these factors, we gain a deeper understanding of its cultural value.