The Dream of Solomon 1693

Luca Giordano painted 'The Dream of Solomon' using oil on canvas; a material prized for its ability to capture light, shadow, and intricate detail. Giordano's application of paint is particularly interesting. Look closely, and you’ll notice the confident, sweeping brushstrokes that give the figures a sense of movement and ethereal quality. The clouds and divine figures seem to emerge from the canvas through his layered, almost improvisational, technique. This approach was common amongst Baroque painters. Beyond the artist's skill, consider the availability of oil paints during this era. The pigments would have been sourced from various regions, and required a complex process to produce. The very act of painting, therefore, was tied to global networks of trade and expertise. This reminds us that art-making is never a solitary act, but one deeply embedded in social and economic realities. So when you look at this work, think about the many hands that contributed to its creation, from the pigment miners to the artist, all playing their part in this grand vision.