Andromeda c. 1630

Rembrandt van Rijn created this painting of Andromeda with oil paints, using the traditional method of layering pigments on a prepared canvas. However, it is the visible brushwork and use of chiaroscuro, the contrast between light and dark, that holds particular significance here. Look at the way Rembrandt has applied the paint, particularly in the rendering of Andromeda's skin, it’s a mixture of thin glazes and thicker impasto, creating a sense of depth and texture. The materiality of the paint itself, its viscosity and opacity, allows the artist to model the forms and create a sense of drama and movement. The darkness that envelops Andromeda is also a powerful material presence. It is not merely a void, but an active force pressing in on her, amplifying her vulnerability. Paying close attention to the materiality of the artwork opens up new ways of thinking about the artist’s intentions and the cultural values that shape them, and challenges traditional distinctions between the fine and decorative arts.