Paint binder traditionally used for ‘tempera’ easel painting, but also identified in manuscripts
Unlike other paint binders such as gum Arabic and egg glair, egg yolk is only briefly mentioned in historic treatises and medieval lists of recipes to make pigments. Contrary to the long-held belief that it had only rarely been employed on parchment, egg yolk is being identified in manuscripts with increasing frequency. It is often found in works by artists who also practiced as panel painters and were therefore familiar with its use.
