Virgin and Child with Two Angels (detail) 1478

This detail of 'Virgin and Child with Two Angels' was painted in Florence by Andrea del Verrocchio, using tempera on wood panel. Verrocchio was renowned as both painter and sculptor, and this panel gives a good sense of his workshop practice. Tempera, made from pigment mixed with egg yolk, dries very quickly, demanding precision and careful planning. Note how Verrocchio has built up the forms with fine, hatched brushstrokes, creating smooth transitions of tone. The exquisite details, like the delicate folds of the angel’s sleeves, give the painting a tactile quality. Tempera was a medium prized for its ability to render details with clarity, especially in the service of naturalistic form. It was a time-consuming medium, yet was prized, as it was suitable for capturing the opulence of courtly life, while imbuing the figures with a palpable sense of grace. Paying attention to the materials and processes used, gives us a deeper insight into the cultural values and artistic intentions embedded within it.