Divine Maternity 

Raúl Berzosa painted this ‘Divine Maternity’ with oils on canvas. Berzosa, born in 1979, is working in a tradition that goes back centuries. Oil paint is a slow medium; each layer must dry before the next is applied. This allows for tremendous subtlety of color, and blending of tones. We can see the artist has built up the forms with care, especially in the rendering of drapery. But he has also left some areas, especially around the edges of the canvas, less resolved. This gives us a glimpse into his process. The artist is not only representing the Holy Mother and Child, but also paying homage to the craft of painting itself. By leaving some areas of the canvas unfinished, he invites us to think about the labor involved, and how technical skill can be used to create an image of profound emotional resonance. This painting shows that the making is just as important as the subject.