Socrates 

Luca Giordano painted this portrait of Socrates in the late 17th century, using oil paint on canvas. Look closely and you’ll see the rough texture of the woven canvas support, brought to life by the oil paint applied in layers. The artist uses quick, expressive brushstrokes to capture light and shadow, creating a sense of drama, depth and texture. The very qualities of oil paint – its viscosity, luminosity, and capacity for blending – are all on display here. Oil painting was the dominant mode in Giordano’s time, prized for its versatility. Pigments, often derived from minerals and plants, were carefully ground and mixed with linseed oil. The labor of preparing and applying these materials was considerable, and signified the painter’s skill. The resulting image makes us think about the cultural and social significance of fine art, where material and process are crucial components of meaning.