Madonna and Child with Saints and Donors c. 1490s

Gasparo Cairano carved this altarpiece around the turn of the 16th century out of marble. Now, marble is fascinating stuff: heavy, dense, yet capable of being worked to an astonishing degree of refinement. Consider the folds of the Madonna’s robes, or the serene faces of the saints. It's remarkable that Cairano was able to coax such delicate effects from a solid block of stone. This wasn’t just a matter of technical skill, but also the organization of labor, which suggests a well-equipped workshop. You don't just pick up a hammer and chisel and produce something like this. It requires a sophisticated understanding of quarrying, carving, and polishing. It also speaks to the wealth and power of the patrons who commissioned it. When you look at an object like this, remember that it’s not just an aesthetic experience, but also a testament to the complex social and economic forces that shaped its creation.