Virgin and Child c. 1450

This "Virgin and Child" was made anonymously, with oil paint on a wood panel. Here, the manipulation of materials and the work's materiality influences the appearance, and the social or cultural significance of the artwork. The artist has engaged with the skilled traditions of painting, alongside that of craft and fine arts. The artist would have applied layers of paint to achieve the desired effect. It is oil paint, a traditional art material. The application of the gold leaf surrounding Mary and Jesus would have required a delicate touch and a certain level of expertise. The deep blue of Mary's cloak is a key feature, made from ultramarine, derived from the precious stone lapis lazuli. This would have been imported from the East and was more expensive than gold at the time. Looking at this painting we can understand the full meaning of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.