Tempera

Definition

Tempera is a fast-drying painting medium made from colored pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, such as egg yolk. This technique has been widely used throughout art history, known for its ability to create fine details and vibrant colors, making it especially prominent in various artistic periods, including ancient Egyptian art, Gothic painting, and medieval works.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tempera paint dries quickly, allowing artists to work efficiently but also requiring rapid application techniques.
2. In ancient Egypt, tempera was often used for wall paintings and to decorate coffins, showcasing its historical importance.
3. Northern Gothic painters favored tempera for panel paintings and manuscripts because of its precision and vibrant color retention.
4. Tempera can create a matte finish, which was ideal for capturing detailed textures in medieval art.
5. The technique has influenced later art movements and practices, including the transition to oil painting during the Renaissance.

Review Questions

• How did the use of tempera influence the stylistic choices of artists in Northern Gothic painting?
  • Tempera allowed Northern Gothic artists to achieve remarkable precision and detail in their works. This medium's quick-drying properties meant that artists could layer colors and create intricate designs on panels and manuscripts. As a result, we see a focus on realism and fine details in subjects ranging from religious iconography to portraiture, highlighting the technical skill required to manipulate tempera effectively.
• Discuss the advantages and limitations of using tempera compared to other mediums like oil paint during the medieval period.
  • Tempera offered several advantages during the medieval period, such as quick drying times that facilitated detailed work and vibrant colors that remained stable over time. However, its limitations included reduced flexibility compared to oil paint, which allowed for more extensive blending and layering. Artists had to be more precise with their application of tempera due to its rapid drying nature, often resulting in less time for corrections. This contrast influenced the evolution of painting techniques leading into the Renaissance.
• Evaluate the significance of tempera in the broader context of art history from Prehistoric times through the Middle Ages.
  • Tempera plays a crucial role in art history as one of the primary mediums used before the widespread adoption of oil painting. Its use dates back to ancient cultures like Egypt, where it contributed significantly to funerary art and religious imagery. During the Medieval period, particularly in Northern Europe, tempera became synonymous with panel painting and manuscript illumination. The qualities of tempera not only shaped artistic techniques but also reflected cultural values and religious themes prevalent throughout these eras, bridging connections between ancient practices and later developments in art.

Related terms

Egg Tempera: A specific type of tempera that uses egg yolk as the binder, favored for its luminosity and ability to create delicate layers.

Panel Painting: A painting executed on a wooden panel, commonly used in the Renaissance and Gothic periods, where tempera was often employed as a primary medium.

Fresco: A mural painting technique where pigments are applied to wet plaster, creating a durable and vibrant image; unlike tempera, fresco relies on a different binding medium.