Costume du Moyen Âge: Portraits of Elegant Ladies, Published in 1847

About this sheet

These exquisite lithographs from the "Costume du Moyen Âge" series, published in 1847, offer a captivating glimpse into the world of medieval fashion and elegance. Each print showcases the delicate beauty of women from the medieval period, with a meticulous attention to detail in their attire, hairstyles, and expressions. These graceful depictions transport viewers to a bygone era, where intricate headdresses, ornate jewelry, and intricate garments adorned the women of the Middle Ages. With a blend of historical accuracy and artistic finesse, these lithographs not only serve as a visual record of medieval fashion but also evoke a sense of timeless charm and sophistication. The series captures the essence of a bygone era, inviting us to appreciate the enduring allure of medieval style and grace.".

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.