Saint Ignatius Loyola 

This painting of Saint Ignatius Loyola was made by Miguel Cabrera in the 1700s, using oil on canvas. The artist has carefully built up layers of paint to create this heavenly scene. Cabrera would have ground and mixed his own pigments, a labor-intensive process. The deep blacks and rich reds would have been especially prized, derived from rare minerals and dyes. Look closely at the brushwork: see how it varies from the smooth, almost porcelain skin tones of the angels, to the more textured rendering of Saint Ignatius' robes. This contrast reflects not just skill, but a conscious decision to highlight the different realms depicted. Think about the socio-economic context of this work. The canvas itself would have been a valuable commodity, as would the artist's time and expertise. Paintings like these were not simply aesthetic objects; they were powerful tools used to reinforce social hierarchies and religious beliefs. By focusing on the materials and methods of production, we can appreciate the full complexity of this artwork, and the society that produced it.