Adoration of the Magi (The Dombild Altarpiece, central part) 1445

Stefan Lochner made this altarpiece using oil paint on wood panels, sometime in the 1440s, a technique that was then quite new. Oil paint allowed for a rich build-up of detail, a precise rendering of textures. Look closely, and you can see the weave of fabrics, the gleam of metal, and the soft skin of the figures. The work involved layer upon layer of pigments suspended in oil, each painstakingly applied. This wasn't just about technique; it was about devotional impact. The preciousness of the materials, combined with the sheer labor invested in the painting, made it a fitting offering to the divine. Lochner's attention to detail elevates this piece to something truly special, as he captures the increasing opulence of the 15th century. Through the mastery of materials and process, Lochner bridges the earthly and the divine, inviting viewers into a world of both luxury and spiritual reverence.