The Altarpiece of the Holy Cross c. 1603 - 1605

Adam Elsheimer created "The Altarpiece of the Holy Cross" using oil paint on copper plates, framed by an elaborate wooden structure with gilded details. The choice of copper as a support is significant. Its smooth, non-porous surface allows for incredibly fine detail, as you can see in the miniature scenes and the delicate rendering of the figures. But copper also has an inherent materiality. Its warm, reflective quality subtly glows through the paint layers, lending the altarpiece an almost ethereal quality. Consider the labor involved. Not just the artist's meticulous brushwork, but the skilled carpentry required to construct the frame, and the application of gold leaf by a specialist gilder. This object is a testament to a network of artisanal practices, each contributing to the overall effect of devotional luxury. Elsheimer here challenges our expectations of traditional altarpieces, pushing the boundaries between painting, sculpture, and the decorative arts.