Madonna and child 1510

Giovanni Bellini made this painting of the Madonna and Child using oil on wood panel, sometime around the turn of the 16th century. The material qualities of oil paint are crucial here. Bellini achieves a subtle, almost porcelain-like finish to the figures’ skin, enabled by the slow drying time of the medium. This also allowed him to blend colors almost imperceptibly. The Madonna’s blue robe, painted with expensive ultramarine pigment, is rendered with incredible detail, capturing the folds and weight of the fabric. The process of layering oil paint allows for an atmospheric depth that we can see in the background. It is this devotion to his craft that makes Bellini's paintings feel so alive. Considering the materials and the laborious process of oil painting in Renaissance Venice, we get a sense of the immense skill and time required to produce such a work. By understanding the making, we come to appreciate the true value of this piece.