temperamaalauksin

Temperamaalaus, often referred to as tempera painting, is an ancient painting medium that uses pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, typically an egg yolk. This binder emulsifies the pigment, creating a fast-drying and durable paint. Historically, tempera was a dominant painting technique for centuries, predating the widespread use of oil paints.

The process of tempera painting involves carefully grinding pigments and then mixing them with egg yolk. This mixture is then applied to a prepared surface, usually a wooden panel or canvas coated with gesso, a primer made of gypsum or chalk and glue. Tempera is known for its luminous quality and ability to create fine details. The paint is applied in thin, translucent layers, allowing light to reflect off the white gesso ground, resulting in a vibrant and matte finish.

One of the key characteristics of tempera is its quick drying time. This necessitates a different approach to painting compared to oil paints, often involving hatching and cross-hatching to build up form and color. Mistakes can be difficult to correct once the paint has dried. Despite its limitations, tempera offers exceptional durability and resistance to yellowing. It was extensively used in early Christian art, Byzantine icons, and Renaissance panel paintings, with artists like Botticelli and Duccio employing the medium with great skill. Modern artists sometimes use tempera for its unique aesthetic qualities and archival stability.