Andrians or The Great Bacchanal with Woman Playing a Lute 1628

Nicolas Poussin painted this scene of revelry, known as "The Great Bacchanal," with oil on canvas. The material properties of oil paint—its viscosity, the way it catches the light, the ability to blend seamlessly—are all on full display here. Poussin painstakingly layered pigments to create a sense of depth and luminosity. The canvas itself, though hidden beneath the paint, also plays a role. Its woven texture subtly influences the surface of the painting. Poussin’s mastery of these materials would have taken years of apprenticeship, and a deep knowledge of the alchemical processes involved in grinding pigments and mixing varnishes. Understanding the labor involved in this process helps us see the painting not just as a representation of a bacchanal, but as a testament to the artist's skill and dedication to his craft, elevating it above mere decoration.