Tempera painting

Definition

Tempera painting is a technique that uses colored pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, typically egg yolk, to create vibrant and long-lasting artwork. This method was widely used in Early Byzantine manuscript illumination, allowing artists to achieve luminous colors and fine details essential for religious texts and illustrations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tempera painting was favored during the Early Byzantine period due to its ability to produce bright colors that maintained their vibrancy over time.
2. Artists working with tempera often applied multiple layers of paint, building up depth and detail in their illustrations, which was particularly important in religious manuscripts.
3. The technique required meticulous preparation, including the grinding of pigments and mixing them with the egg binder, making it a labor-intensive process.
4. Unlike oil paints, tempera dries quickly, allowing artists to work efficiently but also requiring them to be skilled in layering to avoid muddying colors.
5. Tempera paintings were often combined with gilding, creating visually stunning works that reflected the divine and spiritual themes prevalent in Byzantine art.

Review Questions

• How did the technique of tempera painting influence the artistic style of Early Byzantine manuscript illumination?
  • Tempera painting significantly shaped the artistic style of Early Byzantine manuscript illumination by enabling artists to create vivid colors and intricate details. The use of egg yolk as a binder allowed for rich hues that stood out against parchment backgrounds, enhancing the spiritual imagery often depicted in religious texts. This technique encouraged meticulous layering, resulting in artworks that were both visually striking and symbolically meaningful.
• Compare and contrast tempera painting with other painting techniques used during the same period, focusing on their materials and effects.
  • Tempera painting differs from oil painting primarily in its binder and drying time. While tempera uses egg yolk as a binder, oil paint relies on linseed oil, allowing for slower drying and more blending capabilities. This results in richer textures and greater depth in oil paintings compared to the flatter appearance of tempera. However, tempera's rapid drying time allowed artists to layer colors quickly, resulting in crisp lines and clarity, which was ideal for the precise detail required in manuscript illumination.
• Evaluate the impact of tempera painting on the preservation of Early Byzantine art and how it reflects the cultural values of that era.
  • Tempera painting has played a crucial role in the preservation of Early Byzantine art, as its durable pigments have allowed many works to survive for centuries with their colors intact. This technique reflects cultural values such as devotion to religious themes and the importance of beauty in sacred texts. The vibrant colors achieved through tempera not only served aesthetic purposes but also communicated spiritual significance, reinforcing the connection between art and faith during this pivotal period.

Related terms

Gilding: The application of gold leaf or gold paint to a surface, often used in manuscript illumination to enhance visual richness and highlight important elements.

Illuminated Manuscript: A handwritten book that features elaborate decorations, including colorful illustrations and ornamental initials, often created using tempera painting and gilding techniques.

Egg Tempera: A specific type of tempera painting that uses egg yolk as a binder, allowing for quick drying times and a unique finish that captures light effectively.