Tempera

Definition

Tempera is a fast-drying painting medium made from colored pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, typically egg yolk. This technique was widely used during the Middle Ages, especially for religious art, where it served not just as a method of application but also as a means of conveying spiritual themes and messages through vivid colors and symbolic representations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tempera was often used on wooden panels for altarpieces and other religious artworks, making it a key medium in medieval church decoration.
2. The egg yolk binder in tempera gives the paint a distinct translucency and brightness, allowing artists to achieve luminous colors.
3. Artists had to work quickly with tempera due to its fast-drying nature, which required them to layer colors carefully and efficiently.
4. Tempera paintings were typically finished with a protective varnish to enhance their longevity and preserve their vivid colors over time.
5. This technique began to decline with the rise of oil painting in the late Middle Ages, which offered greater flexibility and blending capabilities.

Review Questions

• How did the characteristics of tempera influence the techniques used by artists during the Middle Ages?
  • The fast-drying nature of tempera influenced artists to work quickly and develop efficient layering techniques. Since tempera dries quickly, painters had to apply colors in a more controlled manner, using thin layers to build depth and richness. This characteristic led to distinctive styles in medieval art, emphasizing clarity and detail, particularly in religious imagery that needed to convey strong messages through symbolism.
• In what ways did tempera serve as an effective medium for conveying symbolism in medieval art?
  • Tempera allowed artists to use vibrant colors and fine details to create works rich in symbolism. The use of bright hues helped emphasize spiritual themes, while specific colors could represent different ideas or figures within Christian iconography. For example, blue often symbolized heaven or divine presence. The transparency achieved with egg yolk binder added depth, enhancing the viewer's understanding of the spiritual narratives depicted in the artwork.
• Evaluate the impact of the transition from tempera to oil painting on medieval art and its cultural significance.
  • The shift from tempera to oil painting marked a significant evolution in artistic expression during the late Middle Ages. Oil paint provided greater versatility, allowing for richer color blending and detailed textures that were not achievable with tempera. This transition reflected broader cultural changes, as artists sought new methods to convey increasingly complex themes and emotions. The ability to depict light and shadow more realistically opened up new avenues for storytelling in art, ultimately influencing the Renaissance and changing how art was perceived within society.

Related terms

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

Gilding: The application of thin gold leaf or gold paint to a surface, often used in conjunction with tempera to enhance the visual richness of artwork.

Iconography: The visual images, symbols, or motifs used in art to convey specific meanings or themes, often found in tempera paintings of religious significance.