Grisaille History

Come paint with us in Farmington, Illinois

History of Grisaille

Old Master grisaille has a fascinating history that we would love to share with you today.

Old Master grisaille techniques developed gradually through several centuries as they were passed down from one painter to another with each generation contributing additional refinement to basic Old Master grisaille concepts and theories. 

When the grisaille process originated in the Medieval Period it was simply called “painting in black and white” as was noted in the famous inventories of Jean de France, Duc de Berry of 1401, 1413 and 1416, “item, unes petites heures de Nostre Dame … eluminé es de blanc et de noir”.

Italian artists in Venice were strongly influenced by the oil painting techniques that had been developed by the Flemish van Eyck brothers in northern Europe.  

In the 1400s, the van Eycks were painters of illuminated manuscripts and their special innovation was a technique that blended egg tempera and oil painting.  

First, they created a grisaille underpainting using tempera which was standard procedure at that time.  Tempera was colored pigment made into paint with an egg binder.  

Next, they applied pure color oil glazes over the grisaille underpainting to create their full colored art works. 

This proved to be a magical combination for their small panels because it produced a luminous jewel-like quality that eventually became their hallmark.

Through the centuries, various forms of grisaille were used to imitate the effect of classical sculpture relief of Roman and Greek art.  15th-century Flemish painter, Jan van Eyck, used grisaille techniques in the outer wings of the famous triptych, the Ghent Alterpiece, to achieve a sculptural effect.  It has been said that Giotto used grisaille in some of his frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel in the 14^th century, and there are certainly evidences of grisaille having been used in the 15^th century in the Sistine Chapel of Rome. 

The use of the French word “grisaille” can be traced back to the early 1600s, however, as we have just evidenced, grisaille painting was used several centuries before. Grisaille was called “dead coloring process” in the 17^th Century, but of course that term is no longer used.

Bellini (pre 1400 - 1470) started the Venetian method in Italy which utilized a grisaille foundation.  Oil was then added to colored pigment to render special effects of light, shade, color and atmosphere in a brand new way.   

Giovanni (1431 - 1516) and Titian (c. 1480 - 1576) continued to develop and expand on the grisaille concepts that Bellini had invented.  The Venetian method of painting is centered around the use of a grisaille foundation. Each master approached grisaille in his own unique way. 

Caravaggio (1571-1610), Velazques (1599-1660), Rembrandt (1606-1669), and Velazques (1632-1675) were also masters in grisaille painting with transparent oil overglazes and opaque highlights. Each added their own personal discoveries and inventions to this concept to further develop a style that has been cherished for several centuries.

Grisaille painting is often associated with the chiaroscuro techniques.  The word “chiaroscuro“ originated in Italy,  “Chiaro” meaning “light” and “scuro” means “dark". Thereby, this term “chiaroscuro” is used to describe the use of extreme light and dark in paintings that depict drama and realism.

Chiaroscuro became Caravaggio's professional trademark.  He was a master at painting illuminated figures (usually common people) with a single burst of light piercing a very dark scene. His art style became highly popular during the 1600s.

In the Netherlands, especially in Utrecht during the 1620s, many painters copied Caravaggio’s dramatic style and became known as ‘Caravaggists’.  From there, the excitement of trying chiaroscuro spread throughout Europe.

As the 18^th Century opened, grisailles had become the height of fashion and were used to create a classic look for the entrances of stately manors in Europe, but by the latter 1800s the use of grisailles had declined.

Grisaille is a great way to divide and conquer the creative process.  Starting with grisaille, the drawing, composition, perspective, effects of light and shade, textural qualities, rhythm and flow patterns of the art work are orchestrated to perfection. Then, after the grisaille is completed, color is added to bring the design to a finished full color art work.  

Color adds brings emotion and ‘personality’ to the finished art work.  If handled skillfully, the grisaille system will produce a magical translucent quality that allows light to pass playfully through the multiple layers of paint to create an "inner light" as was cherished by the Old Masters.  This precious luminous quality cannot be duplicated by simply painting wet-into-wet with colored pigments alone.

• Grisaille Painting • Premiere Coup • Luminist Art • Colored Pencil • Bentwood • Tutorials • Search •

Copyright © 1998 -2010,  Linda L. Coulter    All rights, title and interest, including all copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights posted on this web site belong to us.  Moreover, the names, images and graphics included on this website that identify our professional physical images, art works, art products, art educational products and services are also our legal intellectual property.  Nothing contained in this website shall be construed as bestowing any privilege, or offering any right, expressly or by implication, under any of our legal intellectual property rights.  Absolutely no portion of this website may be reproduced, republished, duplicated in any way (digital, electronic or otherwise), transmitted in any way, nor distributed in any form whatsoever by any means, at any time. If you have a request, please contact us in writing.  Thank you.