Tempera painting is a painting technique that involves mixing colored pigments with a water-based binder, such as egg white, animal glue, or starch. This technique has been used since ancient times and was especially popular during the medieval and Renaissance period. Tempera paint is characterized by its versatility, durability and ability to create transparency and luminosity effects.
The tempera painting process generally involves the following steps:
1. Surface Preparation: The surface on which the paint is to be applied is prepared with a primer (gesso) to seal and provide a uniform base for the paint. This may include canvas, wood, or other substrates suitable for tempera painting.
2. Preparation of the mixture: The colored pigments are mixed with the water-based binder to create a smooth and homogeneous paste. Egg white is one of the most common binders used in tempera paint, as it provides a strong and flexible film.
3. Layering: Tempera paint is applied in thin, translucent layers, using brushes or spatulas to create details and textures. Artists can work in successive layers to build the shape and structure of the paint, allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next.
4. Detail and Finish: Once the paint has completely dried, artists can add fine details and finishing touches to the work. Tempera paint can be layered and mixed with additional layers to achieve color and depth effects.
Some great exponents of tempera painting include:
1. Giotto di Bondone (c. 1266-1337): Giotto was one of the masters of the Italian Renaissance and used tempera paint in many of his works, including his famous frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua and the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi.
2. Sandro Botticelli (c. 1445-1510): Botticelli was another prominent Renaissance painter who worked in the tempera technique. His works, such as “The Birth of Venus” and “Spring,” are outstanding examples of his skill in this technique.
3. Fra Angelico (c. 1395-1455): Fra Angelico was a Dominican monk and Renaissance painter known for his work in the tempera technique. His frescoes in the monasteries of Saint Mark in Florence are admired for their spiritual beauty and masterful use of color.
4. Duccio di Buoninsegna (c. 1255-1319): Duccio was an influential painter of the Italian Gothic period and used tempera paint in many of his works, including the famous “Maestà” altarpiece in the Siena Cathedral.
These are just a few examples of the many artists who have used tempera paint to create significant and enduring works in art history. Each of them has left a lasting legacy in this revered painting technique.