Dead Christ Supported by Madonna and St. John 1460

Giovanni Bellini made this painting on panel, *Dead Christ Supported by Madonna and St. John*, in Venice during the Renaissance. Bellini was a master of the oil painting technique, which allowed him to build up layers of color and achieve subtle effects of light and shadow. Look closely, and you can see how the artist used fine brushes to render the delicate features of Christ's face, and how he captured the texture of the skin. The use of oil paint also allowed Bellini to create a sense of depth and realism in the painting. He carefully modeled the figures to create a three-dimensional effect, and paid close attention to the details of the landscape in the background. By focusing on the materials and methods used to create this painting, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artist's skill and vision, and how he brought this emotional scene to life. This approach helps us see painting not just as an image, but as the product of human labor, skill, and tradition.