Confidants of the Court: The Royal Pages, Handcolored and Published in 1847

About this sheet

This artful print portrays two young royal pages in a moment of quiet conversation. The intimate stance and direct eye contact between the two figures suggest a shared secret or a moment of counsel, highlighting the trusted role of pages within the royal court.

Both are dressed in rich, vibrant attire that reflects their prestigious position. The page on the left is adorned in a warm-toned doublet with contrasting pink hose, complemented by a dark cap adorned with a brooch. The cane he holds signifies his duty in running errands or perhaps assisting nobility. The page on the right wears a cooler blue tone, with his jacket ornately decorated with golden embroidery, echoing the regal nature of his service.

Their hats, both accented with feathers, add a touch of flamboyance to their youthful appearance, while their pointed shoes speak to the fashion of the times. Even as servants to the nobles, their clothes and demeanor express a sense of importance and belonging to the royal milieu.

This depiction not only captures the elegance of their youth and station but also offers a glimpse into the daily life and interpersonal relationships of those who served the royal households of the past. It's a snapshot that combines historical attire with the timeless nature of human connection.

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.