Mary worshiping the Child Possibly 1640 - 1660

Giovanni Battista Salvi, called Sassoferrato, made this oil on canvas painting of Mary worshiping the Child in the 17th century. Looking closely, the way that Sassoferrato has built up the paint in layers is extremely fine. His delicate brushwork evokes the soft textures of skin and fabric. It is easy to overlook the labor involved in creating these effects. The preparation of pigments, grinding them by hand with oil on a stone slab, was painstaking work usually done by apprentices. The canvas itself would have been carefully primed, perhaps with multiple layers of gesso, to create a smooth surface for painting. The artist’s skilled manipulation of humble materials – earth pigments, plant-based oils, and linen – elevates this image to something transcendent. By considering the amount of work that went into its making, we appreciate the true value of this painting and challenge any separation of craft and fine art.