NOTES ON THE MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES OF "CHAUCER READING AT THE COURT OF EDWARD III..." BY FORD MADOX BROWN

Abstract

Recent conservation work on Ford Madox Brown's Chaucer reading at the Court of Edward III provided a unique opportunity to examine the techniques of the artist. Questions surrounding the artist's intent arose during cleaning, and answers were sought in the literary sources as well as in the physical evidence of the painting. Brown employed traditional academic practices to develop the composition and build up the paint layers. However, he also used some innovative methods of paint application to achieve verisimilitude in textural effects.