Botticelli paintings revise traditional procedures to adopt recent innovations. They use tempera grassa, a medium in which the egg yolk was modified by the addition of oil to make the paint more transparent. Botticelli followed the methods that had been perfected in the previous century, showing the conservativeness in his approach.
Only the finest pigments of the era were used in innovative Botticelli paintings. While the reds and greens were glazed in most instances, the pigments were applied in thin and opaque layers called scumbles. They acquired a compact density, in a gradual manner, as the painting built up. There was an extraordinarily luminous subtlety to them, created from their infinitely tonal gradations. This was particularly eminent in the painted areas representing reflected light.
It is unfortunate to note that most of the Botticelli paintings have lost the fullness of their beauty over the years. This loss can be attributable to the fact that colors have a tendency to change nature, to become more transparent, as the years passed on. A prime example is copper resinate, which turns from green to brown, in an irreversible chromatic change, an excessive contrast and a loss of luministic gradation.
The technique used in Botticelli paintings is at its most refined in their flesh tones. Semi-transparent ochres, whites, cinnabars and red lakes are laid over one another in minute brush strokes, making the gradations almost invisible to the naked eye.
Chalk, pen, bistre and tempera were among the media in which Botticelli perfected his skills. This is very evident in Botticelli paintings. He used paper tinted with roses, violets, yellows and grays. This pioneering technique modelled up figures with whites in the light and modelled them down with darker colors.
Unique Botticelli paintings come in the form of the Dante illustrations which were executed only in outline. Actually, Botticelli intended to color them but did not find the time to do so. Comprising of 92 parchment sheets, they vary greatly in completion, some were not even begun.
Only the finest pigments of the era were used in innovative Botticelli paintings. While the reds and greens were glazed in most instances, the pigments were applied in thin and opaque layers called scumbles. They acquired a compact density, in a gradual manner, as the painting built up. There was an extraordinarily luminous subtlety to them, created from their infinitely tonal gradations. This was particularly eminent in the painted areas representing reflected light.
It is unfortunate to note that most of the Botticelli paintings have lost the fullness of their beauty over the years. This loss can be attributable to the fact that colors have a tendency to change nature, to become more transparent, as the years passed on. A prime example is copper resinate, which turns from green to brown, in an irreversible chromatic change, an excessive contrast and a loss of luministic gradation.
The technique used in Botticelli paintings is at its most refined in their flesh tones. Semi-transparent ochres, whites, cinnabars and red lakes are laid over one another in minute brush strokes, making the gradations almost invisible to the naked eye.
Chalk, pen, bistre and tempera were among the media in which Botticelli perfected his skills. This is very evident in Botticelli paintings. He used paper tinted with roses, violets, yellows and grays. This pioneering technique modelled up figures with whites in the light and modelled them down with darker colors.
Unique Botticelli paintings come in the form of the Dante illustrations which were executed only in outline. Actually, Botticelli intended to color them but did not find the time to do so. Comprising of 92 parchment sheets, they vary greatly in completion, some were not even begun.
About the Author:
Looking to find the best deal on Botticelli paintings, then visit www. photosofpaintings.net to find the best advice on photosofpaintings.net for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment