Saint Augustine and an Augustinian Canoness 1525 - 1550

This panel, Saint Augustine and an Augustinian Canoness, was painted by an unknown artist, likely in the 15th century, using oil on wood. The artist has painstakingly rendered the textures of the figures’ garments, particularly Augustine’s elaborate gold brocade cope and mitre. The quality of these materials speaks to the patron’s wealth and status, as does the artist’s technique. Oil paint allowed for the creation of luminous colors and precise details, layer upon layer. Consider the labor involved in creating such a painting; from the preparation of the wooden panel to the grinding and mixing of pigments, everything would have been done by hand. Even the gold thread in Augustine’s vestments would have been produced by skilled artisans. Looking at this panel, we can see how materials and making are powerful tools for communicating social and spiritual values, and for elevating craft to the level of fine art.