Vellum is a unique and highly valued art medium, prepared from the skin of young animals such as calves, lambs, or kids. It has been used for centuries as a writing material due to its exceptional durability and smooth surface. The term "vellum" originates from the Old French word "velin," which means "calfskin."...
The Art Media Vellum
Vellum is a unique and highly valued art medium, prepared from the skin of young animals such as calves, lambs, or kids. It has been used for centuries as a writing material due to its exceptional durability and smooth surface. The term "vellum" originates from the Old French word "velin," which means "calfskin."
Manufacturing Process
The process of creating vellum involves several steps. First, the animal skin is cleaned and soaked in an alkaline solution to remove hair and fat. Next, the skin is stretched on a wooden frame and scraped with a lunellum, a crescent-shaped knife, to create a uniform thickness. The skin is then dried under tension, resulting in a smooth, flexible material that can be cut or folded without cracking.
Characteristics
Vellum has several unique characteristics that make it an ideal art medium. It allows some light to pass through it, creating a subtle glow that enhances the appearance of written or painted images. Additionally, vellum can be burnished to create a high sheen, which further accentuates the visual impact of the artwork.
Artworks on Vellum
Throughout history, many famous artists have created works on vellum. For example,
Jean Fouquet's "Martyrdom of St. Apollonia" and
"Virgin and Child" are both painted on vellum and can be found in the Musée Condé in Chantilly, France. Another notable example is
Jean Clouet's "Charles de Cossé (1506–1563), Count of Brissac", which is also painted on vellum and can be found at ArtsDot.com.
Preservation and Conservation
Due to its exceptional durability, vellum has been used for centuries as a writing material. However, it is still susceptible to damage from environmental factors such as light, humidity, and pollution. Proper preservation and conservation techniques are essential to ensure the longevity of vellum artworks. These techniques include storing the artwork in a cool, dry environment with minimal exposure to light and handling the artwork with clean, white gloves to prevent oils from transferring to the surface.
Conclusion
Vellum is a unique and highly valued art medium that has been used for centuries due to its exceptional durability and smooth surface. Its unique characteristics make it an ideal medium for creating works of art that are both visually stunning and long-lasting. Proper preservation and conservation techniques are essential to ensure the longevity of vellum artworks, allowing future generations to appreciate their beauty and significance.
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Germany) - A Comprehensive Overview [https://ArtsDot.com/@@/D25V8S-Bayerische-Staatsbibliothek-(Germany)--A-Comprehensive-Overview]
The Museum österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria) [https://ArtsDot.com/@@/D26RFZ-The-Museum-österreichische-Nationalbibliothek-(Vienna,-Austria)]
Painting by 'Jean Étienne Liotard' : Portrait of Jean Tronchin [https://ArtsDot.com/ADC/Art.nsf/O/D2MSQV]
Painting by 'Jean Clouet' : Charles de Cossé (1506–1563), Count of Brissac [https://ArtsDot.com/ADC/Art.nsf/O/D2W2DG]
Painting by 'Jean Fouquet' : Martyrdom of St. Apollonia [https://ArtsDot.com/ADC/Art.nsf/O/D876D2]
Painting by 'Jean Fouquet' : Virgin and Child [https://ArtsDot.com/ADC/Art.nsf/O/D3C9J5]
Pol De Limbourg [http://ArtsDot.com/@/Pol-De-Limbourg]
Pisanello [http://ArtsDot.com/@/Pisanello]
Vellum [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vellum]
List of art media [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_art_media]
Parchment [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parchment]