Virgin and Child with young John the Baptist and Saint Catherine 1604

Hans Rottenhammer painted this copper panel with oil paint, depicting the Virgin and Child with young John the Baptist and Saint Catherine. The choice of copper as a base is really interesting. It allowed Rottenhammer to achieve an enamel-like smoothness, and jewel-like brilliance in the colors. The process of painting on metal requires a meticulous approach, building up layers of paint to create depth and luminosity. Think about the artist carefully applying glazes to give the figures a porcelain-like finish. There’s also the social context to consider. Copper panels like this were luxury objects, destined for collectors who valued refined technique and precious materials. The act of painting on copper elevated the work beyond the more common canvas, and into the realm of high craftsmanship. By appreciating the materials and making processes, we can see how the painting blurs the line between fine art and decorative craft.