The arrival of the apostles to the Virgin (Fragment) 1311

Duccio made this fragment of a larger panel painting sometime in the early 1300s, using tempera paint on a wooden panel, gilded with gold leaf. What’s fascinating about this image is the labor embedded within it. Tempera is made by mixing pigment with egg yolk, a technique demanding precision. Notice too the intricate details achieved through the artist's hand. The gold leaf, applied meticulously to create a halo effect, required additional skill and time, and was costly. We can imagine the painter in his workshop, patiently building up these delicate layers. Looking closely, we see the traces of craft. This was not just a painterly exercise; it involved a physical engagement with materials. By focusing on the making, we appreciate the many layers of meaning held within this devotional image. We begin to understand the value it held, both spiritually and economically, in its own time.