Pala di Sant Agostino (Adoration of Pastors) 1523

Pietro Perugino’s painting features an armored angel, likely executed in oil paint, around the late 15th or early 16th century. While the artist's skill is undeniable, it's worth considering the skilled labor involved in creating the angel's armor, visible underneath the paint. The metalwork represents hours of forging, hammering, and polishing by craftsmen. The angel's shield also showcases the expertise needed to create intricate relief work. The painting's significance lies not only in its religious subject matter but also in the implied dialogue between painting and the skilled trades. Perugino elevates these practical arts by depicting them in a religious context, while simultaneously showing off the labor involved in creating the objects within the painting. Paying attention to materials and processes can enrich our understanding of art, challenging the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft.