Madonna and Child Enthroned 

Lo Scheggia made this panel painting of the Madonna and Child Enthroned in fifteenth-century Italy, most likely with tempera on wood. The wooden panel and the method of painting directly influenced the work's creation, calling for meticulous planning and accuracy. Tempera, a fast-drying medium made from egg yolk, required precision in applying layers of color, one painstaking step at a time. You might notice the smoothness of the surface, a result of careful layering and burnishing. This kind of workmanship was rooted in both craft and artistic traditions. Painters were trained as apprentices, honing their skills through years of practice. The use of tempera, popular at the time, demonstrates a connection to earlier painting traditions, while the subject matter reflects the social significance of religious art. The piece involved considerable labor, not only in the painting itself but also in preparing the materials, from grinding pigments to preparing the wood panel. The value of the painting comes from its material, its making, and its context, which defies conventional definitions of fine art and craft.