L’amore virtuoso 

Guercino created this oil painting, L’amore virtuoso, sometime in the 17th century. The artist uses oil paint, a versatile medium made from pigment mixed with oil, to create depth and luminosity. Notice how the material lends itself to capturing a range of textures. Look at the instruments rendered, from the smooth wood of the lute to the coarse stone of the sculpture behind them. These instruments, and the tools to make them, demonstrate the necessity of skill in the art world. The painting is full of labor, showing all the different ways a person can devote their life to the arts. The statue shows the skill of the sculptor, the instruments the skill of the musician, and the tools show what it takes to make them. By emphasizing the importance of skill and material, Guercino challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, reminding us that all artistic expression requires technical ability and dedication.