Saint Ansanus 1323 - 1329

Simone Martini made this painting of Saint Ansanus sometime in the early 1300s, using tempera and gold leaf on a wood panel. This wasn't just painting, it was high craft. Think of the fine woodworking required to prepare the panel, the grinding of pigments to create the paint. Look closely, and you'll see the texture of the gesso underlayer. Notice too, the gold leaf, meticulously applied to create a radiant halo. Gold was the ultimate symbol of wealth and status. Tempera paint dries quickly, so Martini had to work with precision and speed. The result is a smooth, luminous surface with incredible detail, like the delicate folds of the saint's robe. The artist’s hand is everywhere evident, from the brushstrokes to the tooling of the gold. All this labor elevated the painting beyond mere representation. It was a devotional object, a display of wealth, and a testament to Martini's skill. Considering the materials and processes involved reminds us that art is not just about ideas, but also about the skilled labor that brings those ideas to life.