Polyptych in Santo Spirito (Bergamo), detail 1507

Ambrogio Bergognone painted this panel as part of a larger polyptych, likely in the early 16th century, using tempera on wood. The egg tempera has a distinctive matte quality. Its colors, although muted, appear luminous against the gold leaf detailing of the surrounding frame. Look closely, and you can appreciate the precision that comes with this technique. The panel is built up with thin layers of pigment. Tempera demanded meticulous preparation; the artist would have worked alongside assistants to prepare the gesso ground and mix the paints. The use of gold leaf also required specialized knowledge, from hammering to applying it with painstaking care. The surrounding frame adds to the effect, and the painting's value. It required not only painting skills, but also specialized gilding and woodworking. The frame challenges traditional distinctions between art and craft by showing that their meanings arise from careful making and material choices.