St John the Baptist 1575 - 1609

Annibale Carracci's 'St John the Baptist', was made with oil paint on canvas. It's a traditional pairing, but considering the role of labor, class, and the artistic mode of production, there are other implications. The artist's skilled labor, like any other profession, operated within an economic structure, relying on the availability and cost of materials. This work also reflects the artist's engagement with the tradition of painting, a system involving studios, apprentices, and markets. Consider how the texture and weight of the paint bring the saint's form to life. Carracci's technique, honed through practice, captures light and shadow, creating a sense of volume and depth. The application of paint—each brushstroke, each layer—contributes to the painting's overall effect. By focusing on the materials, the making, and the context, we can appreciate the full meaning of Carracci's work. It's a potent reminder that 'high art' is also the result of labor, skill, and material, and the product of material conditions.