Air 

Jan Brueghel the Elder created this allegorical painting, Air, using oil paints, a painstaking and skilled practice at the time. Brueghel's mastery is evident in the smooth, luminous surfaces achieved through layering thin glazes of oil paint, allowing light to interact with the colors beneath. The sheer number of figures, and the range of textures of feathers, flesh, and cloud, is simply astonishing. Note too how he achieves an atmospheric perspective, with the background fading softly into the distance. The detailed rendering of flora and fauna showcases the artist’s technical prowess but it also points to the cultural significance of naturalism during this period. Brueghel's artistry elevated the genre of still life and landscape painting, reflecting a growing interest in the natural world, and perhaps, an attempt to assert mastery over it. The painting's intricate details, combined with the labor-intensive process of oil painting, underscore the value placed on artistic skill and craftsmanship in the 17th century. It is a testament to the enduring appeal, and inherent worth, of patient manual work.