Madonna Lactans 

This is Andrea del Verrocchio's "Madonna Lactans," painted in the late 15th century using oil and tempera on panel. The traditional materials would have been carefully prepared, beginning with the gesso ground, followed by layers of underpainting and glazes to achieve the luminous effects you see here. Consider how Verrocchio has used the oil paint medium to create a sense of depth and realism, especially in the rendering of the fabrics, flesh tones, and details like the gold trim on Mary's clothing. These details speak to the patronage system of the time, where artists were commissioned to create works for wealthy clients, and skilled labor was highly valued. The ultramarine pigment in Mary's robe, for example, would have been especially costly, ground from lapis lazuli. Seeing the Madonna and Child as an object of material production, helps us understand the social and economic context in which Verrocchio was working. By appreciating the value of material, making, and context, we can expand our understanding of Verrocchio's Madonna beyond the traditional boundaries of fine art.