The Sermon of St. John the Baptist 1566

Pieter Bruegel the Elder created *The Sermon of St. John the Baptist* with oil paint on wood panel. The physical process of layering paint, building up depth and detail with a brush, is key to appreciating the painting. Bruegel’s engagement with materiality extends beyond the traditional techniques of painting. By choosing a wood panel as his support, rather than canvas, he aligned himself with a Northern European tradition, and the guilds of panel makers and painters. Wood brings a unique texture and grain to the artwork. The painting’s materiality and modes of production are tied to wider social issues of labor and class; the production process reflects a deep engagement with the traditions of craftsmanship that elevate the painting beyond a mere depiction of a biblical scene. Ultimately, understanding the materials and processes involved in the making of *The Sermon of St. John the Baptist* allows us to appreciate the complex interplay between the artist, the materials, and the socio-cultural context in which the artwork was created.