détrempe

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable or uncountabletechnical

   A painting technique in which pigments are mixed with water and a binder such as glue or egg, rather than oil, or a work made this way.

   Grammar: Uncountable for the technique, countable for a work: a détrempe on canvas.

   Patterns

   • in détrempe

   The restorer identified the mural as a détrempe rather than a fresco.

   Early theater backdrops were often painted in détrempe.

   She studied détrempe to learn how artists worked before oil paint spread.

Common combinations

painted in détrempe

The backdrop was painted in détrempe.

détrempe on canvas

The gallery owns a détrempe on canvas from the 1500s.

détrempe technique

The détrempe technique dries quickly and looks matte.

détrempe mural

A faded détrempe mural covered the chapel wall.

Synonyms and how they differ

distemper

The English name for the same type of water-based paint, more common in British usage.

tempera

Typically uses egg as binder, while détrempe covers glue-based versions too.

gouache

An opaque water-based paint used on paper in modern work.

Word family

tempera noun

egg-based paint

distemper noun

water-and-glue paint

Practice

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