About this sheet
This lithograph, part of the "Costume du Moyen Âge" series from 1847, depicts an English noblewoman dressed in the fashion of the Renaissance period. The lady is adorned in a gown that elegantly combines practicality with the period's flair for ornamentation. Her dress features a fitted bodice in a vivid green with golden-yellow lacing that accentuates the contours of her figure.
The gown flows into a long, violet skirt, which is gracefully held to one side, revealing a hint of an underskirt. The rich purple hue of the outer garment symbolizes nobility and luxury, while the golden embellishments along the edges of the gown and bodice showcase the wealth and high status of the lady.
She wears an intricate headdress, styled in a manner befitting her rank, with red and gold stripes that match the ornate nature of her dress. Her hair is neatly braided, framing her face, which is marked by a serene and composed expression.
In her right hand, she holds a delicate white handkerchief, a common accessory for a woman of her standing, suggesting a sense of gentility and attention to propriety.
The background is intentionally understated, allowing the viewer to focus on the detailed depiction of her attire. This image not only captures the fashion of the time but also serves to convey the societal role and refined demeanor expected of a lady in the English Renaissance court. It provides a glimpse into the personal style and the cultural norms surrounding the appearance of nobility during this period of history.
The colors have a nice glow over them. Historically, egg whites, known as glair, and sometimes egg yolk were indeed used in illumination and painting, particularly in manuscripts, to give colors a brighter appearance and to add a sheen or gloss to the work. This technique was quite common during the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance.
Egg whites can be applied as a varnish over pigments to enhance their brightness and to protect the colors. This application could make the colors appear more vivid and also add a slight glossy sheen to the surface of the image.
Egg yolk, on the other hand, was commonly used as a binding agent in paint. It forms the basis of tempera paint, a medium that was widely used before the advent of oil painting. Egg yolk helps to create a durable and long-lasting color that adheres well to various surfaces.
In the context of the print from 1847, it's less likely that egg whites or yolks were used directly on the print, as by that time, commercial printing processes would have been more advanced and less reliant on such manual methods. However, if this print is a representation of an earlier style or is meant to mimic the appearance of hand-painted manuscripts, the original artists might have employed techniques or materials that gave a similar effect to those achieved with egg-based binders and varnishes.
