Botticelli adopted a certain conservativeness in his approach to painting. As a matter of fact, he employed the same methods over and over again throughout his career. Still, Botticelli paintings underwent revisions in traditional procedures to give in to new innovations. The employment of a paint with more transparency was evidence of this innovation. This paint, known as tempera grassa, was a combination of egg yolk and oil.
The finest pigments of the period were utilized in Botticelli paintings. They were applied in scumbles, i.e., thin and opaque layers. However, the reds and greens were glazed more often than not. These pigments produced an exquisite, enamelled effect, from its composition of infinite tonal gradations.
The fullness of the beauty of Botticelli paintings, unfortunate as it is, has been lost in the passage of time. Some of this loss can be blamed on abrasiveness and over-zealousness in restoration efforts. The more significant cause, however, can be attributed to the natural tendency of colors to change nature and to gain more transparency with the passage of a considerable period of time.
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.
Botticelli paintings showcased the skill of its artist with the media of chalk, pen, bistre and tempera. Botticelli was considered a pioneer in his use of paper tinted with roses, violets, yellows and grays. This established a middle value for figures, modelled up with whites in the light and 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.
The finest pigments of the period were utilized in Botticelli paintings. They were applied in scumbles, i.e., thin and opaque layers. However, the reds and greens were glazed more often than not. These pigments produced an exquisite, enamelled effect, from its composition of infinite tonal gradations.
The fullness of the beauty of Botticelli paintings, unfortunate as it is, has been lost in the passage of time. Some of this loss can be blamed on abrasiveness and over-zealousness in restoration efforts. The more significant cause, however, can be attributed to the natural tendency of colors to change nature and to gain more transparency with the passage of a considerable period of time.
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.
Botticelli paintings showcased the skill of its artist with the media of chalk, pen, bistre and tempera. Botticelli was considered a pioneer in his use of paper tinted with roses, violets, yellows and grays. This established a middle value for figures, modelled up with whites in the light and 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.
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