The Mediums used by George Stubbs: Some Further Studies

John Mills and Raymond White
Technical Bulletin Volume 9, 1985

Abstract

The media used in 10 paintings by George Stubbs, executed between 1772 and 1800, were analysed. As a result, some earlier findings by the same authors have been modified. The raw materials thought to have been used are drying oil, non-drying oil or fat, beeswax and pine resin. A table lists the findings and it can be seen that there is a difference chronologically.

The three earliest paintings examined contain no drying oil, only wax-resin or non-drying oil fat/resin, and no prepared ground. The paintings from 1783 contain in addition drying oil. The article concludes with a history of the interest in ancient Greek encaustic painting techniques with which Stubbs could have experimented.

Keywords 

encaustic painting, England, Europe, George Stubbs, Greek, paint, UK

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To cite this article we suggest using

Mills, J., White, R. 'The Mediums used by George Stubbs: Some Further Studies'. National Gallery Technical Bulletin Vol 9, pp 60–64.
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/technical-bulletin/mills_white1985a

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