Funeral of St. Jerome 1465

Filippo Lippi made this altarpiece depicting the Funeral of St Jerome using tempera on wood. Here, the artist uses egg tempera, a process where dry pigments are mixed with egg yolk and thinned with water. Tempera was a favoured material in 15th century Florence, offering a luminous surface and intricate detail. The technique requires careful planning. The artist would prepare a smooth surface with gesso, drawing out the composition before applying thin, translucent layers of paint to build up colours and forms. It’s tempting to imagine the artist in his workshop, surrounded by assistants preparing pigments and panels, each playing their part in the creation of this devotional image. The use of tempera emphasizes the value placed on skilled craftsmanship, and the traditions of artistic production. These materials and processes point to a culture that valued technical skill. By engaging with these methods, Lippi places himself within a lineage of artistry and craftsmanship, challenging the separation of fine art and craft.