Watercolor History

Purpose:

• To become familiar with the history of watercolor;
• To become familiar with various watercolor artists throughout time;
• To make connections between watercolor purposes and techniques from long ago to its uses today.

The first watercolor paintings were done in a cave in prehistoric times. Centuries ago in Ancient China they used water based inks and dyes to create paintings on silk. Ancient Egyptians painted on tombs and temples with water based paints as well. Albrecht Dürer was considered to be one of the first “watercolor masters” and he mastered the sophisticated techniques of watercolor painting. Dürer’s works came directly from nature and showed his love of animals and the outdoors through his paintings. Occasionally, in some of his work, Dürer sometimes mixed in some opaque gouache for highlights in specific details.

Pond in the Woods

1496

Albrecht Dürer

Claude Lorrain and Nicolas Poussin were two also noteworthy artists. Lorrain painted many watercolor landscapes in Rome which were commissioned by kings and clergy. People claimed he was the best landscape artist in the world. Nicolas Poussin worked from nature and most of his paintings were only in two colors. Poussin is known to have invented French Classicism by creating classic landscapes to coexist with nature’s mysteries.

View of the Acqua Acetosa 1645 Claude Lorrain

Landscape with Trees and Tower
No Date Nicolas Poussin

Watercolor started to gain popularity in the 1700s and by the mid 1800s it became a high demand and exhibitions of the Royal Watercolor Society was as high up as those of the Royal academy. In the early 1800s, upper-class women started to take up watercolor as it was becoming part of a tutor-based education.Watercolor started to be classified with many different types of art and in the 1970s and 1980s, people started to become interested in watercolor again. Now in modern day art, environmentally friendly watercolor is the common medium used. Also, modern technology created a paint that is fade-resistant. Gels, other colorings, and high quality watercolor paper are now available to be used to create watercolor paintings.

"HISTORY OF WATERCOLOUR." CSPWC English History of the Medium. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2014.

"History-Overview." Watercolor Watercolor Painting Watermedia History Contemporary Exhibitions. Watercolor.net, 2012. Web. 15 May 2014.