Madonna and Child with Putti 1522

Rosso Fiorentino painted this Madonna and Child with Putti using oil on wood panel, likely in the 1510s or 20s. Oil paint allows for rich colors, subtle gradations, and the illusion of depth. But it's the artist's mastery of the medium that truly brings this scene to life. Note the folds of the Madonna's robe, the soft texture of the children’s skin, and the ethereal quality of the background. At the time, painting was a highly skilled, laborious process. Pigments were derived from minerals and plants and then carefully ground and mixed with oil. The layering of these paints would have taken weeks, if not months. Fiorentino was part of a workshop system, where assistants would prepare materials and execute less important parts of the painting. This division of labor was typical of the period, and while the master received the glory, the production of paintings was often a collaborative effort. Looking closely at the work, we see how this process is imbued with social meaning. While the subject is religious, the painting is also a testament to the skill, labor, and social context of its creation, blurring the lines between fine art and craft.