The Procession of Saint Gregory 

The Limbourg brothers made this illumination, "The Procession of Saint Gregory," with pigments and gold on parchment. This was a common technique for the time. But what sets this page apart is the incredible detail. Look closely, and you'll see an array of figures, each rendered with distinctive features and garments. The texture of the architecture, with its varied stones and towers, is a testament to the artists' skills. The making of such a manuscript demanded an immense amount of labor. Preparing the parchment, mixing the pigments, and meticulously applying each brushstroke were all incredibly time-consuming. This was not simply a matter of artistic expression; it was a demonstration of wealth and status. The book itself would have been a luxury object, commissioned by someone of high social standing. Considering the materials, the making, and the social context, we begin to understand the full meaning of an artwork like this, which transcends the traditional boundaries between fine art and craft.