About this sheet
This print is titled "Jeunes Italiennes," which translates to "Young Italian Women." It is likely a part of the 19th-century series "Costume du Moyen Age" from 1847. The image portrays two young Italian women in traditional clothing, providing a glimpse into the fashion and social customs of Italy during the Middle Ages.
The foremost woman is clad in a vibrant blue dress with a square neckline that reveals a white undergarment, which could be a chemise. The sleeves are tight and white, contrasting with the blue of her dress. Her skirt is pleated, adding volume and texture, and is accentuated with a broad, patterned hem in gold and brown hues, suggesting a decorative and perhaps regional style. A black head covering frames her face and falls behind her shoulders, denoting modesty and femininity.
In the background, another young woman is depicted in a similar style of dress and head covering, but in more muted tones, creating a sense of depth and dimension to the image. The artist has taken care to render the folds of the fabric and the subtle shading, which lends a sense of realism and detail to the attire.
The print is numbered "103," indicating its place within the series. The attention to the details of their garments and the portrayal of their poised and serene expressions are indicative of the care taken in the depiction of historical attire in such collections.
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.
