Saint Peter 

Guido Reni rendered Saint Peter in oil paint, a medium prized in the 17th century for its versatility and capacity for luminous effects. The visible brushwork is crucial here. Reni built up the forms through layers of glazes, creating depth and shadow. Look closely, and you can see how he manipulated the viscosity of the paint to achieve the textures of skin and hair. The smooth, almost porcelain-like quality of Peter's face contrasts with the rougher handling of his beard, adding to the sense of age and weariness. Reni's refined technique would have been highly valued, reflecting the prestige of the artist's profession at the time. Consider the number of hours of labor involved in the process of grinding pigments, mixing the paints, and then applying them to the canvas with such precision. The very act of making becomes a testament to Reni's skill and devotion to his craft. It reminds us that art, however seemingly effortless, is always the result of human work.