Christ Shown to the People c. 1570 - 1576

Titian, around the 16th century, painted ‘Christ Shown to the People’ with oil on canvas. Here, Titian's mastery of the medium is on full display. Note the contrast between the coarse texture of Christ's garments and the smooth, luxurious fabrics worn by his tormentors. The painting has a somber mood, with the muted color palette adding to the emotional weight of the scene. Titian applied the paint in layers, a technique called glazing, to build up rich colors and create a sense of depth. This technique, combined with the use of chiaroscuro – contrasting light and dark – brings drama to the work. Consider the social context in which this painting was made. Titian was a master of the opulence favored by the wealthy elite in Venice, and here he uses his mastery of the medium to highlight the contrast between Christ's suffering and the indulgence of his persecutors. This emphasis on materiality, making, and social context invites us to question the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.