Orphée aux Enfers 1594

Jan Brueghel the Younger created this ‘Orphée aux Enfers’ with oil paints, a blend of ground pigments and oil, meticulously applied to a panel. The material Brueghel chose is closely tied to the detailed aesthetic he achieves. The glossy nature of oil paint allows for the creation of smooth, luminous surfaces and intricate details, which align with the painting's thematic concern with visual accuracy and aesthetic appeal. Brueghel’s technique involves layering paint in thin glazes, a time-consuming process that demands considerable skill. The sheer amount of work involved in producing a painting like this speaks to the social context of artistic creation in Brueghel's time, where patronage and commission played a pivotal role. It also highlights the economic system that supported such artistic endeavors, funded by wealthy elites who could afford the luxury of art. Looking closely at the material and the labour involved, we begin to question the traditional divide between ‘high art’ and ‘craft’.