The Triumph of St. Thomas Aquinas 1484

Benozzo Gozzoli created this altarpiece, “The Triumph of Saint Thomas Aquinas,” in the mid-15th century, using tempera on panel. The smooth, luminous surface comes from the traditional technique of tempera painting, where powdered pigments are bound with egg yolk. This method requires careful layering and precise brushwork to achieve its characteristic clarity. The gold leaf, applied meticulously in the background, symbolizes divine light, and underscores the importance of skilled handwork, as these gilded surfaces require patience to create. Gozzoli’s technique, in its emphasis on careful preparation and skilled execution, is a testament to the value placed on craft within the context of Renaissance art. The painting is both the product of extensive labor, and a demonstration of the value of artisanal practices within a religious framework. It reminds us that artistic creation is not just about ideas, but also about the hands that shape them.