Bishop Bernardo de' Rossi 1505

Lorenzo Lotto painted this portrait of Bishop Bernardo de' Rossi using oil paint, a medium that allowed for a high degree of detail and realism. The work’s materiality is key to understanding its social context. Oil paint, made from ground pigments and linseed oil, enabled Lotto to achieve the subtle gradations of light and shadow, capturing the texture of the bishop’s skin and the folds of his garments. Look closely, and you’ll see the layers of paint, each brushstroke contributing to the overall image. This meticulous process involved grinding pigments, mixing paints, and applying them in layers, a labor-intensive process reflecting the value placed on craftsmanship. The use of oil paint elevated portraiture to a respected art form, as this technique became associated with wealth and status. Understanding the labor and materials involved allows us to appreciate not just the bishop’s likeness, but the social and economic forces at play in its creation.