The Triumph Of David 

Nicolas Poussin's painting, "The Triumph of David," uses oil on canvas to bring a biblical scene to life. The medium of oil paint, carefully layered, allows for rich colors and subtle gradations of light that model the figures with classical precision. Look closely and you'll see how Poussin uses the material qualities of oil paint to build up a composition of figures in dynamic poses, set against the backdrop of a grand architectural structure. There is a very deliberate process to the way the paint has been applied, layer upon layer, to achieve a sense of depth and form. The narrative unfolds through the artist's skilled handling of the medium; the textures of fabric, skin, and stone are all rendered with a high degree of realism that was associated with high art practices of the time. It's a reminder that even in so-called 'high art' the skillful application of materials is crucial to conveying meaning and emotion.