Abraham Entertaining the Three Angels 

Ferdinand Bol created ‘Abraham Entertaining the Three Angels’ using oil paints, a common medium during the Dutch Golden Age. The smooth, almost porcelain-like finish, typical of the period, results from layering thin glazes of paint. The artist would have carefully built up the image, paying close attention to light and shadow to create a sense of depth and realism. Notice the way the folds of the angel's robes catch the light, creating a tactile quality. The process of oil painting in Bol's time was labour-intensive. Pigments had to be ground by hand, mixed with oil, and carefully applied to the canvas. This demanded skill and patience, reflecting the value placed on craftsmanship in 17th-century Dutch society. While not as overtly tied to labor or class as some other art forms, the detailed realism and refined finish speak to the patronage of a wealthy merchant class. It's a reminder that art production, even at this high level, is always rooted in material and process.