Minerva c. 1630

Rembrandt van Rijn painted 'Minerva' using oil on canvas. Look closely at the way Rembrandt used the materials, how the brushstrokes and layering of paint bring textures to life, from the heavy drape of Minerva's robe to the parchment pages of the book. This wasn't just about depicting a scene, but about the handling of paint itself as a sensuous, malleable substance. The very act of layering oil paint becomes meaningful. Rembrandt had a studio practice with a division of labour, like a workshop, where apprentices prepared canvases and ground pigments. So much is involved in the production of a painting like this. By drawing attention to the labour and materials involved, we can really appreciate the work. Understanding the materials and methods isn't separate from understanding the artwork; it's central to it.