The Marriage of the Virgin 1640

Nicolas Poussin created "The Marriage of the Virgin" using oil paints, a medium that allows for the layering of colors and the creation of depth. The smooth surface and controlled brushwork speak to a deliberate process, typical of the academic painting tradition. Unlike fresco or tempera, oil allows for extensive reworking, which aligns with Poussin's intellectual and composed style. Paint production in Poussin's time involved a workshop setting, where assistants ground pigments and mixed them with oil. The pigments themselves came from various sources, from minerals to plants, reflecting a global network of trade. Poussin's use of oil paint reflects not just artistic skill but also the economic and social structures of his time, with labor and material sourced and processed to create an artwork for a discerning clientele. Understanding these aspects of material and making enriches our appreciation of the painting, revealing its connection to broader cultural practices.