Tempera

Definition

Tempera is a painting medium made by mixing colored pigments with a water-soluble binder, often egg yolk, which allows for a fast-drying and durable finish. This technique was widely used during the Renaissance and is known for its ability to produce vibrant colors and intricate detail, making it a favored choice for artists exploring new styles and techniques.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tempera paintings often have a matte finish, which contrasts with the glossy appearance of oil paintings.
2. Artists like Botticelli and Fra Angelico were known for their mastery of tempera, using it to achieve intricate details in their works.
3. Tempera requires a fast application because it dries quickly, often leading artists to work in small sections at a time.
4. The use of egg yolk as a binder in tempera provides excellent color stability and longevity, which is why many tempera works have survived for centuries.
5. Tempera fell out of favor with the rise of oil paint in the late Renaissance, as oil offered more flexibility and blending options for artists.

Review Questions

• How did tempera influence artistic techniques during the Renaissance?
  • Tempera played a significant role in shaping artistic techniques during the Renaissance by allowing artists to achieve detailed work with vibrant colors. The use of egg yolk as a binder made the paint fast-drying, encouraging artists to develop quick application methods. This medium enabled painters to explore new styles and detailed textures that were crucial in the transition from medieval art to more lifelike representations.
• Compare and contrast the properties of tempera and oil paint, focusing on their applications and effects on artwork.
  • Tempera and oil paint have distinct properties that affect their application and visual outcomes. Tempera dries quickly and has a matte finish, making it suitable for detailed work but limiting blending time. In contrast, oil paint dries slowly, allowing artists to manipulate colors over extended periods, resulting in rich textures and glossy finishes. This difference led many artists to prefer oil paint for larger, more complex compositions, while tempera remained popular for smaller, detailed pieces.
• Evaluate the role of tempera in the context of Renaissance innovation in art and how it reflects broader cultural changes of the period.
  • Tempera's prominence during the Renaissance reflects significant cultural shifts towards individualism and naturalism in art. As artists sought to break away from medieval traditions, tempera allowed for greater experimentation with light, color, and form. This medium facilitated advancements in technique that mirrored the era's emphasis on human experience and observation of the natural world. Consequently, tempera not only served as a vehicle for artistic expression but also symbolized the broader transformation of society during this dynamic period.

Related terms

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

Oil Paint: A painting medium that uses pigments suspended in drying oils, allowing for greater blending and layering compared to tempera.

Glazing: A technique in painting that involves applying thin layers of transparent paint over a dry layer to create depth and luminosity.