Santa Maria Maddalena 1515

Santa Maria Maddalena was painted by Ambrogio Bergognone, sometime around 1500, with tempera on panel. Tempera paint involves careful layering; the powdered pigments mixed with egg yolk dry quickly, creating a smooth surface. The artist's hand is thus very much in evidence, building up form with delicate brushwork. Tempera demands patience and precision, the materials themselves leading to a certain aesthetic. Beyond the fine pigments, consider also the wooden panel, likely prepared by a specialist. Wood was not just a passive support but an active agent in the painting, influencing how the colors appeared and aged. The labor, expertise and materials involved, all reflect economic exchange and social conditions of the time. Paying attention to materials, making, and context allows us to appreciate the full meaning of the artwork, and question the assumed hierarchy between fine art and craft.