Saint Philip Neri receiving the Holy Spirit in the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian 

Francesco Solimena painted Saint Philip Neri receiving the Holy Spirit, likely in the late 17th or early 18th century, with oil on canvas. The artist skillfully layered pigments, demonstrating an understanding of color and texture. Look at the folds in the robes, or the wispy clouds, achieved through the careful application of paint. The materiality of oil paint is also apparent in the subtle gradations of light and shadow, which give the figures a sense of depth and volume. Solimena would have employed apprentices in his studio. They would have ground pigments, prepared canvases, and executed less critical passages of paintings. This division of labor was standard practice, reflecting the economic realities of artistic production at the time. It’s fascinating to consider how many hands were involved in creating the artwork, and to recognize the skilled labor required to produce such a painting. Recognizing the role of materials, making, and social context in understanding artwork helps bridge traditional distinctions between art and craft.