Madonna and Child with St. Anne and St. John the Baptist, surrounded by a flower garland 

This painting was made by Jan Brueghel the Younger, who lived in the seventeenth century, using oil on panel. Look closely, and you’ll see how the smooth surface gives a detailed rendering of the flowers. But what’s really interesting is the process itself. Brueghel was a master of still life, but he often collaborated with other artists who specialized in figures. The division of labor is key here. One painter focused on the religious scene in the center, while Brueghel arranged and painted the garland of flowers around it. Each blossom is rendered with scientific precision. The contrast between this almost obsessive naturalism and the more conventional religious imagery asks us to consider the place of human industry in the divine order. Painting like this was a highly skilled, specialized trade, reflecting the rise of mercantile capitalism in the Netherlands. Ultimately, the artwork challenges any neat separation of art, craft, and commerce.