Il Doge Pasquale cicogna supplica Cristo 1590

Palma il Giovane completed this oil painting, Il Doge Pasquale Cicogna Supplica Cristo, in Venice. The opulence of the Venetian court is captured with the very materiality of oil paint. Palma’s mastery of this medium is evident, from the rich colors and textures of the Doge’s robes to the ethereal figures in the heavens. The application of paint, layered and blended, creates a sense of depth and realism, while also conveying the grandeur of the scene. In the process of its making, the painting reflects the wealth and power of Venice at the time, and its dependence on extensive networks of trade to obtain pigments, oil, and canvas. The layers of meaning, from the religious to the political, are all interwoven through the skilled labor of Palma il Giovane and his workshop. Ultimately, this painting serves as a reminder of the intimate connection between materials, making, and the social context in which art is created.