Madonna with Child 

Orazio Gentileschi, who was born in Tuscany, made this "Madonna with Child" painting with oil paint. Oil paint lends itself to a slow, deliberate working process, allowing for layers of color to be built up gradually. You can see this in the Madonna's blue robe, and the way the light gently illuminates the folds of cloth. This was a fairly new technology in the 17th century, and gave artists a unique way to capture the world around them. The artwork is significant because of the long-standing traditions it engages with. Before photography, painting was essential to capturing important figures and subjects. Religious iconography was a primary driver for artistic innovation in this period, connecting art to the social and political forces of the time. So, when we look at this work, we should consider the social and cultural forces that shaped its creation. By considering the materials and techniques used, and the traditions that artists like Gentileschi were participating in, we can appreciate a much fuller picture.