This is my painting that I mentioned on the antique ivory (perhaps it should be stated ‘prehistoric ivory’, rather ;) ). I chose to paint a timber wolf portrait. This is the beginnings of the painting, of course. Much more will be added to the piece before it is considered finished. I am really having fun playing with this one. :D
This image (left – "Maternité", 1908, mother and children in a gold frame) is a miniature painting in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
The muted and moody piece is a watercolor on Ivory by American miniature painter, Lucy Stanton (1876 – 1931). The painting’s image is 8-3/4 in x 7-3/4 in.
Ivory was first used by a Venician artist around 1700, and soon after, became very popular in England. …and of course, America. It became the surface of choice for those miniature painters who painted the popular portrait miniatures.
Pieces of ivory most often were cut as slices from a tusk, though methods were developed to cut very large and thin veneered sheets (a roll 52 feet in length was once displayed in the 1850’s). For durability reasons however, those veneered cuts never gained great popularity with miniature painters. In the 20th century, the largest classically cut and prepared pieces available to a miniature artist were about 6 in x 7 in and quite expensive. (This American artist sent for her pieces of ivory from London or Paris markets.)
Though some larger works can be found also, it is understandable that many smaller miniatures were painted on ivory…..with the expense of the surface and relatively small size of classically cut pieces, popularity of small miniatures during that time, and the difficulty that some artists had in handling paint on the smooth surface (I must add…it has even been published in several books that the difficulties of working on the surface is repeatedly over-emphasized in discussions of miniature painting.)
Personally, I honestly enjoy painting on these ivory and ivory simulated surfaces even more than the others that I have tried. :) …the final works seem to be popular with collectors as well.
Of course, ivory as it was during that period is no longer used because of species conservation. However, luminous qualities of a miniature painting are still achieved on ivorine, an ivory surface substitute. The Ivorine surface is neither opaque, like a gessoed panel, nor clear and transparent like glass. it has a translucent quality that adds depth to a painting. Surfaces like antique ivory and the mammoth ivory, which I am painting my wolf miniature on, for example are also available….and very nice as well.
Hi Rebecca I love your wolf drawings I wish I coud draw like that. I love to draw in my spare time but I'll never be as good as that.