Egg Tempera
TRADITION, TECHNIQUE, AND EARLY ITALIAN PAINTING
session 3
July 5, 2027 – July 16, 2027
Egg tempera is one of the oldest painting mediums, second only to encaustic. Its history can be traced from the Fayum funerary portraits of ancient Egypt and the iconographic traditions of ancient Greece and Russian iconography to its height in Italy from the 12th through the mid-15th century. This period of Italian egg tempera painting occupies a unique place in art history, bridging the long tradition of religious iconography and the emergence of the Renaissance in the late 15th century. The foundation and inspiration for my own work and practice in egg tempera is rooted in this tradition of early Italian painting.
Michael Bergt
Instructor
In my workshop, I teach the technique described by Cennino Cennini in Il Libro dell’Arte, a treatise based on the Italian master Giotto. At the same time, the workshop explores the artistic ideals embodied by masters such as Piero della Francesca and Botticelli.
What were these ideals? Early Italian painters constructed their compositions with a profound understanding of mathematics, proportion, and geometry—principles that also informed the architecture and construction of cathedrals during the period. Color carried symbolic meaning, often reflecting religious, philosophical, and mythological traditions. Likewise, the depiction of environments, landscapes, and interiors was not primarily concerned with naturalistic representation. Instead, artists employed a deliberate stylization to create visual harmony and communicate symbolic meaning.
Traveling to Rome to study egg tempera—a medium that carries such a remarkable history and significance within Italian art—is one of the reasons I love teaching in Rome. It is this history, tradition, and hands-on experience that I most enjoy sharing through my workshops.
All are welcome to explore this remarkable technique, discover its history, and perhaps encounter aspects of Italian art that may surprise you.
FAQ
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this workshop. If you have a question that isn’t addressed in the workshop description or these faqs, use the “Ask a Question” button and we will be happy to get you the information!
Isn’t Egg Tempera really complicated, tedious, and limited?
Egg tempera is essentially, colored dirt, egg yolk and water, pretty simple stuff. Very easy and inexpensive to make, and uses no solvents and cleans up easily with soap and water. While the tradition may seem very tedious and limited, egg tempera can also be applied very quickly and loosely, and used in a very expressive manner.
I’ve heard that Egg Tempera is really difficult to use, and you can’t correct it.
Egg tempera is one of the most forgiving mediums. When fresh, the paint can be lifted off with a wet brush or cloth. The paint is applied in many thin, semi-transparent layers, allowing for constant adjustments while building on your previous layers. The paint can be thinned to a flow out like watercolor, or applied directly like opaque gouache. It dries almost immediately to the touch, so another glaze, or direct application can be applied very quickly. It can be scraped back, sanded, or lifted with water.
Isn’t Egg Tempera a Kid’s paint, and not really a serious medium?
Egg Tempera is the second oldest medium, it pre-dates oil paint, and it was used for some of the most famous paintings in art history, like Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus.” To this day, traditional Religious Icon Paintings are done in egg tempera, and Andrew Wyeth only used egg tempera his whole life.