Portrait of Agostino Barbarigo after 1571

Paolo Veronese rendered this portrait of Agostino Barbarigo in oil paint, achieving a smooth, luminous surface. But consider the man represented here. Barbarigo wears shining armor, painstakingly hammered and polished by skilled metalworkers. This wasn’t just protection, but a symbol of power and status. Note the red velvet drape in the background, another signifier of wealth, made possible by the labor of weavers and dyers. The artist’s skill in capturing the textures and surfaces of these materials—metal, fabric, flesh—was highly valued in Venetian society, known for its opulent display and maritime power. These materials speak to the complex economic and social systems that supported both the artist and his subject. Looking closely at the art, we’re reminded that all artworks are made of something, by someone, and for someone. Understanding the material world of the artwork helps us see its connection to broader historical contexts, blurring the lines between art, craft, and social history.