Jesus Carrying the Cross 

Vicente Juan Masip's 'Jesus Carrying the Cross', was likely made in Spain, sometime in the mid-16th century, with oil paint on a wood panel. As with many paintings of the time, the artist makes very deliberate choices about the materiality of paint, how it is applied to the panel, and how it makes the image work. Observe how Masip uses thin layers of oil paint to build up translucent glazes to render the figures and their garments. Consider the artist's handling of light and shadow, and how it sculpts the forms and creates a sense of depth and drama. The figures look solid, monumental, and full of emotion, and the effect is achieved through a careful build-up of materials with skilled techniques. In the 16th century, artistic training was usually delivered through an apprenticeship, with workshop-based production. In order to be commercially viable, the workshop needed to turn a profit and secure the artist’s reputation. As such, religious paintings like these depended upon the labor and skills of many hands. This production is something to keep in mind when reflecting on paintings of the period.