Madonna and Child with Saints John the Baptist and Elizabeth 1490 - 1500

Giovanni Bellini painted this oil on wood panel, “Madonna and Child with Saints John the Baptist and Elizabeth,” in Venice in the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century. Bellini was a master of the oil technique, which allowed for subtle gradations of tone. These created soft effects of light and shadow on the figures’ faces and drapery. Oil paint also made it possible to blend colors seamlessly, as you can see particularly in the blue robes of the Madonna and Elizabeth. But even with these sophisticated manipulations, the hand of the artist remains evident. Look closely, and you’ll see the fine brushstrokes throughout. The use of oil paint in the Renaissance was not just a technical choice, but a reflection of larger cultural shifts. It was a luxurious material, signifying the wealth and refinement of the patron who commissioned the work. The artist’s skill in manipulating the material was also a sign of their own status, elevating painting from a craft to a fine art.