St. Luke 1330

Simone Martini rendered this panel of St. Luke in egg tempera and gold leaf, sometime in the early 14th century. Now, tempera is a very particular medium. It is made by mixing pigment with egg yolk, demanding a fast, precise application before it dries. The effect is a jewel-like surface, which you can clearly see here. But to really understand how the piece was made, consider the gold leaf. Each of those shimmering planes required laborious application, pressing thin sheets of gold onto a prepared surface. This wasn't just decoration; it was a means of invoking the divine. Notice the inscription, the saint's name, and the halo. The way the gold reflects the light emphasizes the importance of the figure, while also attesting to the amount of work involved in the production process. This exquisite piece, therefore, invites us to look closely at how materials, making, and context come together, enriching the visual and social impact of the work.