Baptism of Princess Jolanda Di Savoia 1901

Achille Beltrame probably painted the Baptism of Princess Jolanda Di Savoia in oil, though it has the crispness of print media. Look at this painting as a kind of stage set, a moment caught in time. I imagine Beltrame trying to pin down the exact moment, brushstroke by brushstroke, mixing colors to capture the ornate costumes and architecture. I wonder if he felt the pressure of accurately portraying royalty? See the way the light filters through the grand hall, illuminating the figures in their elaborate attire. It’s easy to get lost in the details, but what really grabs me is the painting's overall feeling of ceremony and tradition. It makes me think about how artists, even when painting grand historical events, are still just trying to capture a feeling. We're all in conversation, really, across time.