Holy Family with angels and saints 1536

Lorenzo Lotto painted this Holy Family with angels and saints sometime in the early sixteenth century, using oil on canvas. Look closely, and you'll notice how the materiality of the paint affects the entire composition. Lotto's process captures the folds and weight of the figures' clothing, the texture of their skin, and the soft focus of the verdant landscape. The religious scene is imbued with a strong sense of naturalism and lived experience. Oil painting was itself a relatively new technique at the time, which allowed for a level of detail and nuance that hadn't been possible before. In Lotto’s hands, the tools of painting are used to portray a down-to-earth interpretation of a sacred scene. By emphasizing the material aspects of the world, Lotto invites viewers to connect with the subject matter on a human level. Ultimately, understanding the artistic process helps us appreciate the skill and vision required to bring such a work to life, challenging any divide between artistry and craftsmanship.