Crucifixion 1355

Giovanni da Milano likely made this ‘Crucifixion’ in the mid-1300s, using tempera paint and gold leaf on a wood panel. The gold isn’t just for show. It represents divine light, and would have been burnished to a gleaming finish. The making of this artwork was highly specialized. From the carpenter who prepared the panel, to the gilder who applied the precious metal, each step required skill and time. Tempera, made from pigment mixed with egg yolk, dries quickly, demanding precision. Look closely, and you can see the delicate brushwork used to build up forms and details. This wasn't just a painting, but a carefully constructed object, a testament to faith and skill. The art of the panel painting involved a collective of labourers that remind us of a pre-industrial workshop. By understanding the material and the hand work involved, we recognize the value placed not only on the finished image, but on the process of creation itself.