The Virgin Appearing to Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist 1520

Dosso Dossi painted “The Virgin Appearing to Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist” sometime in the early 16th century, using oil paint on canvas. The soft, almost hazy quality of the painting stems directly from Dossi’s handling of the material. Oil paint allowed him to blend colors seamlessly, creating a dreamy atmosphere, very different to the crisp precision that was achieved through tempera. But what does it mean for a religious scene like this to be rendered with such sensual softness? Oil painting was still a relatively new medium at the time. It allowed for adjustments and revisions as the artist worked – a degree of control that reflects the patron’s desire to have everything ‘just so.’ We get a sense of the great effort that goes into creating an image that, to its audience, could function as a window onto a divine realm. Ultimately, it’s this investment of skill and labor that gives the painting its aura. Rather than just a demonstration of faith, it is the outcome of hours of work – a reminder that all artworks are, at heart, made by someone.