Tempera painting

Definition

Tempera painting is a technique that uses pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, typically egg yolk, to create vibrant colors and precise detail in artwork. This method has been widely used in the creation of illuminated manuscripts and panel paintings, allowing for intricate designs and a smooth finish. The use of tempera was especially prominent in medieval and early Renaissance art, influencing the styles and techniques of various regional schools.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tempera painting allowed artists to achieve sharp lines and detailed textures, making it a preferred medium for manuscript illumination.
2. The binding agent in tempera is usually egg yolk, which gives the paint a distinctive consistency and durability compared to other mediums like oil paint.
3. Tempera dries quickly, which can be advantageous for layering but requires artists to work rapidly to blend colors before they set.
4. In the Sienese School, artists like Duccio employed tempera to create vivid colors and intricate details that defined their iconic religious works.
5. Tempera painting began to decline in favor of oil painting during the Renaissance due to oil's versatility and longer drying times, which allowed for greater blending and layering.

Review Questions

• How did the use of tempera painting influence the styles seen in illuminated manuscripts?
  • Tempera painting significantly influenced illuminated manuscripts by enabling artists to create vivid colors and intricate details that enhanced visual storytelling. The quick-drying nature of tempera allowed for precise lines and defined shapes, which were essential for the elaborate illustrations found in manuscripts. This technique also facilitated the application of gold leaf and other decorative elements, making the pages not just text but stunning visual works.
• Discuss how tempera painting differentiates from fresco and its impact on artwork in Sienese culture.
  • Tempera painting differs from fresco in that it is applied to a dry surface using egg yolk as a binder, while fresco involves applying water-based pigments onto wet plaster. In Sienese culture, this distinction allowed artists like Duccio to create richly detailed panel paintings that showcased their mastery of color and form. The ability to layer tempera paints also resulted in works that featured intense emotional expressions and narrative depth, setting the Sienese School apart from others.
• Evaluate the reasons behind the transition from tempera painting to oil painting in European art during the Renaissance.
  • The transition from tempera painting to oil painting during the Renaissance was driven by several factors, including the versatility of oil paint, which allowed for greater blending and layering capabilities. Artists found that oil could create softer transitions between colors and offer a broader range of textures than tempera. Additionally, oil paint’s longer drying time enabled more complex compositions and corrections during the creative process. This evolution reflected a shift towards realism and depth in artwork, changing the landscape of European art significantly.

Related terms

Illumination: The artistic decoration of manuscripts, often featuring gold leaf, vibrant colors, and intricate designs, aimed at enhancing the visual appeal and conveying religious themes.

Fresco: A mural painting technique where water-based pigments are applied onto freshly laid wet plaster, allowing the colors to bond with the wall as it dries.

Panel painting: A painting created on a flat surface, typically wood, using various techniques like tempera or oil, which became popular in the late medieval period and Renaissance.