St William of Aquitaine Receiving the Cowl of St Bishop Felix 1620

Guercino made this painting, St William of Aquitaine Receiving the Cowl of St Bishop Felix, sometime in the 17th century, using oil paint on canvas. Although the materials might seem traditional, the way Guercino handles them is anything but. Look closely, and you’ll see he’s not just representing fabric and flesh; he’s really pushing the paint around. It’s thick in some places, thinned down almost to nothing in others. This emphasis on the materiality is important because it speaks to the intense labor involved in its making. While this was a commissioned piece intended to celebrate the life of a saint, it also shows the artist's mastery of his craft. Each brushstroke, each carefully chosen color, contributes to the overall drama and emotional impact of the scene. By focusing on the physicality of the paint, the artist elevates the status of labor, reminding us of the skill required to transform raw materials into a powerful image.