Annunciation 1472

Leonardo da Vinci created "Annunciation" with oil and tempera on a wood panel, embodying a convergence of artistic innovation and traditional craftsmanship. Consider the painting’s surface. Look closely and you'll see how Leonardo built up thin layers of paint to achieve a luminous, almost ethereal quality. This technique, known as "sfumato," required incredible patience and skill. Leonardo, like other artists of his time, would have relied on apprentices to grind pigments and prepare the panel. The oil and tempera medium allowed him to blend colors seamlessly and create subtle gradations of light and shadow, enhancing the realism and emotional depth of the scene. The smooth finish of the painting belies the labor-intensive processes involved in its creation. From the preparation of the wood panel to the meticulous application of paint, each step demanded time, expertise, and collaboration, reflecting the complex social dynamics of Renaissance workshops.