Saint Augustine 1485

Bartolome Bermejo’s Saint Augustine is made with oil on panel, a technique that allowed the artist great control over the detail. Look closely, and you’ll see just how minutely Bermejo has captured the fabrics in the saint’s robes, and the objects on his desk. A painting like this was a careful layering of glazes, building up the color and intensity over time. The use of oil paint allowed Bermejo to imitate the appearance of other luxury goods, especially textiles and metalwork. He's using paint to mimic gold embroidery. And that raises an important point: The image isn't just *of* wealth, it *embodies* the same values of intensive, skilled hand labor. The artist, like a master weaver or goldsmith, brings value into being through meticulous execution. The use of the oil painting technique, mastered in the North, adds to this impression of value. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can appreciate the true depth and meaning of this artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.