maleriet

Maleriet, the definite form of the noun for painting in several Scandinavian languages, refers to the art of painting as well as to individual works created by applying pigment to a surface. A painting is typically a two‑dimensional image that combines color, light, and composition to convey subject matter, mood, or ideas.

Materials and methods: Common supports include canvas, wooden panels, or plaster walls for fresco. Pigments are mixed with binders such as oil, egg tempera, or acrylic emulsion. Techniques range from careful drawing and underpainting to layering, glazing, impasto, and scumbling. The choice of medium and technique affects texture, depth, and durability.

History and genres: In Europe, painting evolved from medieval religious panel pictures to Renaissance oil painting on canvas and beyond, with Dutch, Italian, and Flemish schools shaping color and light. Genres include portraiture, landscape, still life, history or religious subjects, and, in the 20th century, abstract and conceptual painting. Non‑European traditions also produced painting with distinct materials and aims, contributing to a global history of the medium.

Conservation and display: Paintings are studied and preserved by museums, galleries, and conservation science. They are sensitive to light, humidity, and temperature, and may require varnish removal, cleaning, or restoration. The term maleriet thus encompasses works housed in galleries, churches, and private collections, reflecting painting’s central role in visual culture.