119. The Ancient art of Egg Tempera Painting with Artist and Author Dr. Ursula Betka
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Dr. Ursula Betka was one of my favourite lecturers and tutors during my 6 years at Melbourne University studying art history in the 1990’s. Her area of specialisation, in which she has a Ph.D, focused on Medieval and Renaissance sacred images. Ursula was a huge influenced my own research focus at that time when undertook, but never completed an MA. So when I reached out to Ursula for an academic reference last year to start post-grad study again, we reconnected and also discovered that since that time spent in academic art history we have both become practicing, professional artists.
Ursula works in a range of historical materials and methods such as egg tempera painting and gilding on wood, parchment and glass, exploring ways in which these traditions and techniques might convey profound beauty and resonate meaning today. Ursula integrates her practice with the teaching and writing of art history by examining the function and context of sacred art objects and the ways in which artistic creation expresses the yearnings of the soul.
On 3rd December, Ursula’s beautiful new book, published by Hardie Grant, is coming out and I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy. Titled “Techniques of Painting and Gilding in Late Medieval and Early Renaissance Italy. Egg Tempera and Gold Leaf on Wood Panel”, this sumptuously illustrated, hard back book is a detailed technical manual on the time-honoured painting tradition of egg tempera, used historically for sacred images of the Madonna and Child, along with a variety of methods in the decorative application of gold work on wood panel using traditional and contemporary mixed-media. The enduring symbolic values associated with pigments and colours, exotic decorative fabrics and various landscape and architectural settings is also explored.
Ursula’s work seeks to highlight streams of universal spiritual thought that are inseparable from the inner language of contemplation. In 2001, Ursula established the Elesmere School of Sacred Art, teaching small-group workshops conducted from her home-studio in Elsternwick, Melbourne.
Ursula’s book-launch coincides with an exhibition of works featured in the book happening from 18th Nov- 6th December 2024 at Kinross Arts Centure, 603 Toorak Rd, Toorak VIC. See the link below for details.
Links for this episode:
Buy Ursula’s book- Australia Independent bookshop
See Ursula’s exhibition Nov 18-Dec 6 2024
Artist Demonstration workshops
Ursula does not have a website, feel free to email her at ursulabetka@gmail.com or contact her on Instagram
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Suse xo