Tempera painting

Definition

Tempera painting is a technique that involves mixing colored pigments with a water-soluble binder, such as egg yolk, which allows for vibrant colors and fine detail. This method was widely used in the creation of manuscripts and panel paintings, providing artists with a medium that dried quickly and allowed for layering and precision. The clarity and durability of tempera paint made it particularly popular during the Carolingian period and into the Italian Proto-Renaissance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tempera painting was favored in early medieval art due to its quick-drying properties, allowing artists to build layers without long waiting times.
2. The use of egg yolk as a binder in tempera creates a unique translucency that enables subtle color gradations and fine detailing.
3. In manuscript illumination, tempera was commonly used alongside gold leaf to create richly colored and ornate designs in religious texts.
4. Tempera's popularity declined with the rise of oil painting in the 15th century, which allowed for greater depth of color and blending capabilities.
5. Despite its decline in favor of oil, tempera painting saw a revival in the 20th century among artists seeking to return to traditional techniques.

Review Questions

• How did the use of tempera painting influence the artistic techniques employed in manuscript illumination during the Carolingian period?
  • Tempera painting significantly influenced manuscript illumination by allowing for intricate details and vibrant colors that enhanced the visual impact of religious texts. Artists utilized the quick-drying nature of tempera to layer colors effectively, resulting in ornate decorations that reflected the grandeur of the manuscripts. This technique complemented gilding, creating visually stunning pieces that were both functional and decorative, ultimately elevating the status of illuminated manuscripts during this period.
• Compare and contrast tempera painting with fresco techniques used in early Renaissance art, focusing on their applications and effects on artistic expression.
  • While both tempera painting and fresco techniques were prominent during early Renaissance art, they served different purposes and resulted in distinct effects. Tempera allows for detailed work on individual panels or manuscripts, providing artists with flexibility in layering colors and achieving subtle tonal variations. In contrast, fresco requires immediate application on wet plaster, limiting color blending but enabling large-scale murals that integrate seamlessly with architectural surfaces. The choice between these methods often depended on the intended medium and scale of the artwork.
• Evaluate the revival of tempera painting techniques in modern art contexts, considering how contemporary artists adapt historical methods to suit their vision.
  • The revival of tempera painting in modern art reflects a growing interest among contemporary artists in traditional techniques and materials. Artists adapt historical methods by experimenting with new binders and pigments while retaining the characteristic translucency and detail that tempera offers. This blend of old and new creates unique artworks that honor past traditions while exploring modern themes and concepts. The resurgence also emphasizes sustainability, as artists seek natural materials in response to contemporary concerns about environmental impact in art production.

Related terms

Fresco: A mural painting technique where water-based pigments are applied on freshly laid wet plaster, allowing the paint to become an integral part of the wall surface as it dries.

Panel Painting: A painting created on a flat surface, often made of wood, which served as a primary support for tempera and later oil paints during the Renaissance.

Gilding: The application of a thin layer of gold leaf or gold paint to a surface, often used in manuscript illumination and to enhance the richness of tempera paintings.