Encaustic or Count Caylus's method of painting in the manner of the ancients: to which is added a sure and easy method for fixing of crayons

Abstract

Originally published in Paris, 1755, as Memoire sur la peinture à l’encaustique. The Compte de Caylus, the painter Bachelier, and Diderot were the main instigators of the interest in rediscovering the “lost” secret (as noted in Pliny) of encaustic painting or painting with wax which became prevalent in France in the mid 18th century. They hoped to find a method of painting which did not discolor, flake or deteriorate in any way. This English edition contains Muntz’s own improvements on this method along with his observations on painting with crayons. Whilst attempting to resolve the problem of fixing colors within the wax, and of allowing the artist to more easily to retouch areas of his painting, he was unable to correct the basic flaw in the technique. This was that the various concoctions of wax, turpentine, eggs, and other ingredients, failed to provide sufficient adhesion both between the individual layers of paint, and the paint and the canvas. See James Ayers, The artists’ craft which gives a detailed account of this work and of Muntz’s technique. Massing, Painting materials & techniques, no. 21. (Charles Wood, Cat. 160)