Juno 1658 - 1706

Godfried Schalcken created this compelling oil on canvas painting, entitled Juno. Look closely, and you’ll notice that he has achieved a high degree of realism through the manipulation of his materials. In his capable hands, the oil paint not only defines the subject, but captures the sheen of fabric and skin, as well as other details such as hair, feathers and jewellery. The techniques required to achieve this finish were part of a long tradition of workshop practice, passed down through generations. The canvas would have been carefully prepared, the pigments painstakingly ground by hand and mixed with oil, and the brushes carefully maintained. While we might think of oil painting on canvas as one of the fine arts, we should also acknowledge the labor, skill, and rich traditions involved in its production. In doing so, we gain a much richer appreciation for this painting and its place in art history.