Annunciazione 1355

Giovanni da Milano made this "Annunciation" using tempera and gold leaf, a testament to the value placed on the divine, and on devotional images at the time. The gold isn't just decoration; it's fundamental. Applying it requires immense skill, and would have involved grinding the metal into a fine powder, mixing it with a binding agent, and then carefully applying it to the panel. The smooth, reflective surface alters our perception, emphasizing the unearthly quality of the scene. Tempera painting, with its precise, linear qualities, suits this symbolic style. See how the folds in Mary’s robe are rendered with delicate brushwork. The pigments, ground from minerals and plants, would have been carefully layered to create depth and luminosity, a slow, deliberate process. This blend of craft and artistry is at the heart of the work's meaning. It collapses any distinction between craft and fine art. The value here isn't just in the image, but in the labor and materials it embodies.