Portrait of the Artist 1486 - 1689

This striking portrait was created on a wooden panel, by an anonymous artist. The material itself is key here: wood was a common support for paintings, but it also speaks to the skill of the joiner who prepared it. You can see the joins of the planks. This craftsperson made the artist’s work possible. The oil paint allows for a smooth, almost enamel-like surface, and would have been applied in layers to build up the image. The anonymous artist has paid close attention to detail – look at the rendering of the hair, and the way it cascades around the sitter’s face. It’s important to consider the labor involved, not just in painting the portrait, but also in sourcing and preparing the materials. This was a collective effort, and reminds us that even the most individual artistic achievements are rooted in a network of making.