Nuditet med mand og kvinde 1572 - 1602

Agostino Carracci made this small oil on copper painting, titled "Nuditet med mand og kvinde," in the late 16th century. Working on copper gave the artist a very smooth surface, allowing for meticulous detail. The copper support also gives the painting a subtle reflective quality. Oil paint, of course, offers the possibility of creating luminosity through layered glazes, and that is very evident here. Look closely, and you will notice how Carracci has built up the forms of the figures with delicate brushwork. Carracci was part of a family workshop, and this painting shows his mastery of the human form and also his understanding of the market. Intimate paintings like this were luxury objects, made for private enjoyment by wealthy patrons. It's a reminder that the concept of "fine art" has always been entwined with skilled making and social context.