Enamel is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 °C (1,380 and 1,560 °F). The resulting vitreous coating can be applied on metal, glass, ceramics, stone, or any material that will withstand the fusing temperature. In technical terms fired enamelware is an integrated layered composite of glass and another material (or more glass) (Vitreous Enamel).
The Art of Enamel
Enamel is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 °C (1,380 and 1,560 °F). The resulting vitreous coating can be applied on metal, glass, ceramics, stone, or any material that will withstand the fusing temperature. In technical terms fired enamelware is an integrated layered composite of glass and another material (or more glass) (
Vitreous Enamel).
Enamelling has been used as a technique for decorating metal objects since ancient times, with the earliest undisputed objects known to use enamel dating back to the 13th century BC. The technique was first developed in the Near East and later spread to Egypt, Greece, and other parts of the world. In the medieval period, Limoges in France became a major center for champlevé enamel production, producing religious objects such as reliquaries and plaques (
Limoges Enamel).
Enamelling is an old and widely adopted technology, with various techniques used to create different effects. The two most common techniques are champlevé and cloisonné. In champlevé enamel, the design is created by carving out cells in the metal substrate, which are then filled with enamel powder and fired. In cloisonné enamel, thin strips of metal are used to create compartments on the surface of the object, which are then filled with enamel powder and fired (
Cloisonné).
Enamelling has been used to create a wide range of objects, from small decorative items to large architectural structures. In the medieval period, enamelled objects were often used for religious purposes, such as reliquaries and altarpieces. In the Renaissance, enamel was used to create luxury items such as plates, plaques, and ewers, decorated with sophisticated Mannerist decoration of pictorial figure scenes (
Limoges Enamel).
Today, enamelling is still a popular technique for creating decorative objects and artworks. At ArtsDot.com, we offer a selection of handmade oil paintings reproductions and print on canvas of famous artwork, including several pieces created using the enamel technique (
Enamel Artworks).
Some notable examples of enamel artworks include:
- Painting by 'Continental Painter': Portrait of a Man (3 x 2 cm, Enamel)
- Painting by 'Charles Clough': Butane (10 x 15 cm, Enamel)
- Painting by 'David Alfaro Siqueiros': The Devil in Church (218 x 156 cm, Surrealism, Enamel)
- Painting by 'Sidney Nolan': The Trial (91 x 121 cm, National Gallery of Australia (Canberra, Australia), Surrealism, Enamel)
- Painting by 'Alexander James Strachan': Box with portrait of a woman said to be Mrs. Bates (1755–1811) as Flora (Inserted in the lid of the box, and with its hinged cover, is a portrait on ivory of the concert singer Sarah Harrop Bates (1755-1811) as Flora in abo.. , 3 x 10 cm, Enamel)
These artworks showcase the versatility and beauty of the enamel technique, with its smooth, durable vitreous coating and vibrant colors. Whether used for religious objects, luxury items, or decorative artworks, enamelling has a rich history and continues to be a popular technique today.
At ArtsDot.com, we are proud to offer a selection of handmade oil paintings reproductions and print on canvas of famous artwork, including several pieces created using the enamel technique. Our team of expert artists and craftsmen use only the highest quality materials and techniques to create our artworks, ensuring that they will last for generations to come.
If you are interested in learning more about enamel or any other art media, we invite you to explore our website and blog. We regularly publish articles and resources on a variety of topics related to art history, technique, and appreciation. Thank you for choosing ArtsDot.com as your source for handmade oil paintings reproductions and print on canvas of famous artwork.