The Virgin and Child 1527 - 1579

Marcello Venusti’s “The Virgin and Child,” was rendered with oil paints, a medium prized since the Renaissance for its versatility. The material’s capacity for blending allowed Venusti to create subtle gradations of light and shadow. Notice how he built up thin layers of paint to achieve the luminous quality of the figures' skin. Oil paint also allowed for corrections, unlike the fresco technique dominant in earlier eras, offering Venusti the opportunity to revise and refine his composition. Venusti was deeply influenced by Michelangelo, and this piece bears the mark of that artistic relationship. There is an apparent concern with the human form. Venusti skillfully modeled the bodies of the Virgin and Child, as well as the surrounding figures, capturing their weight and volume. In this way, Venusti showcases not only his technical skill but also engages with the prevailing artistic ideals of his time. Looking closely at the materials and techniques used in its creation helps us appreciate Venusti’s place in the history of art.