About this sheet
This print presents a serene image of a woman, labeled as a bourgeoise, engaged in an act of devotion. Her attire reflects a modest yet refined status, suitable for a woman of the middle class in medieval society.
She is clothed in a full-length robe or gown of a gentle hue, which falls softly to the ground, conveying a sense of simplicity and humility. The gown is cinched at the waist, creating a graceful silhouette that is both modest and becoming of her status.
Over her gown, she wears a mantle or cloak that drapes around her shoulders and flows down, with visible detailed edging that adds a subtle decorative element to her outfit. The cloak's texture is finely rendered, suggesting a quality fabric that denotes her respectable position in society.
Her head is covered with a wimple and veil, traditional head coverings for women of the time, which symbolize modesty and piety. The wimple frames her face, directing focus to her calm and contemplative expression.
Her hands are clasped in front of her chest, holding a string of beads, likely a rosary, which serves as a focal point for prayer and meditation. The beads provide a stark contrast against her pale attire, with their red color symbolizing passion and the suffering of Christ, common themes in devotional practice.
Her posture and the closed eyes indicate a moment of quiet introspection or prayer, reflecting the importance of personal faith and devotion in the lives of the medieval laity. The image captures a moment of spirituality and the inward focus of a woman finding solace and strength in her faith.
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.
