Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669) Rembrandt Laughing. Oil on copper, about 1628. 22.2 × 17.1 cm (8 3/4 × 6 3/4 in.). J. Paul; Getty Museum, Museum East Pavilion, Gallery E205.
Historical Use of Copper
While we do not know why oil painting on copper enjoyed popularity from the fifteenth to eighteenth centuries, we may be able to provide some reasons based on historical evidence linked to artistic tradition in both the cultural and economic context of the period.
Concerning artistic tradition, paintings on copper may have arisen out of the practice of applying transparent oil glazes to metal sheets [1,2]. Still, the progress of enameling on copper or bronze in the fifteenth century may have influenced its development due to its widespread popularity [2].
The earliest literary evidence of oil glazes on metal is found in the eighth-century Lucca Manuscript, where a recipe describes how to make a glaze of oil and resin to be applied over tin foil in a technique known as ‘Pictura translucida.’ These glazes were colored yellow to give tin the appearance of gold leaf [1,2]—a kind of imitation gold. These stains were also used on different metals to imitate gilding, as recorded in later sources [2].
With the invention of printing, engraving, and etching became widely popular in Europe during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. This meant copper plates were readily available to painters, some of whom were also etchers and engravers [1].
Economic factors may have also led to the popularity of copper as a painting support. Readily available copper plates meant affordable prices to artists [3]. Jørgen Wadum’s study of Antwerp coppersmiths and the relative costs of panels, artists’ materials, and paintings on copper revealed that prices for copper plates were roughly similar to those for oak panels of comparable size [4].
An ‘appreciation for the precious and the remarkable, the rare and unusual, the refined and exquisite’ developed among wealthy patrons in sixteenth-century Europe, reflected in cabinets of curiosities. This led to the proliferation of different supports for painting, such as ‘alabaster, amethyst, lapis lazuli, marble, quartz, slate…’ and, of course, metal. Logically, paintings on copper would also be seen as ‘rare and precious’ objects in art collections of that period [3].
The gradual waning of oil paintings on copper from the latter half of the seventeenth century in Italy and the Netherlands is even less understood than their appearance. On the other hand, countries such as France and Spain continued to admire this kind of artwork throughout the eighteenth century, and many of their artists chose copper to support their paintings [3].
The Attraction of Copper Supports
Copper supports were attractive to artists for both practical and aesthetic reasons. Paintings on copper do not suffer from the same types of degradation as paintings on canvas or wood do. They are not susceptible to biological degradation, such as mold. Supports from metal do not tear, puncture, or crack, as do canvas and wood supports. Since copper supports are rigid, they do not respond significantly to environmental variations in temperature and relative humidity. In normal indoor conditions, copper supports exhibit only minor dimensional changes due to temperature. The dimensional changes of copper are also similar to that of oil paint. As the temperature increases or decreases, both expand and contract together. These properties of copper account for the surprisingly good state of preservation that some paintings exhibit today [3].
The portability of copper supports, usually relatively small, also allowed artists to collaborate on the same painting even when residing in two different geographical locations [3].
Preparing copper plates for oil paint is easy, usually only consisting of a single priming layer. The smooth surfaces also provide an ideal substrate for rendering fine detail, which was especially popular in the style of paintings of that period. The non-absorbent surface of metal allows the application of thin paint layers that often do not ‘sink in,’ a problem among oil painters even to this day.
Perhaps the most important reason painters use copper as a support for oil painting is the gleam of its metallic surface. The combination of copper’s smooth, non-absorbent surface, allowing the application of thin paint layers, results in paintings with a unique, luminous appearance that many describe as ‘jewel-like’ [3].
Preparation of Copper for Painting
Although preparing copper plates for oil painting is simple, it requires some special attention, so paint layers achieve good adhesion. Historical instructions for preparing copper began with roughening the copper surface to ‘provide a tooth for the application of the paint’ [2]. This mechanical action removes any corrosion present from the surface, such as black or brown cuprite (CuO2), and provides a greater surface area for effectively bonding paint to the metal. Historical treatises and manuscripts offer several recommendations, including rubbing the surface with wood ashes and pumice stone [5].
The same treatises recommend rubbing a garlic clove onto the copper surface or coating it with strained garlic juice [1]. The tacky coating of garlic juice can provide some ‘tooth’ for paint but also gives the artist better control of the paint by providing drag for brush application of paint.
Some sources recommended applying turpentine instead of garlic to the copper plate to improve the wettability of the slippery copper surface, thereby enhancing the adhesion of the oil paint.
A few historical sources also mention applying a layer of linseed oil to the copper surface. This may have been a practice borrowed from etchers because it was thought to improve the application of the preparation layers.
Priming Copper for Painting
Researchers have found a priming layer on most oil paintings on copper studied. These primings contained lead white, white ash, black carbon, umber, yellow and red ocher, and vermilion ground in oil. Historical sources mentioned that the grounds were to be applied by the palm of the hand, with the fingertips, or by brushing, the first being the most frequently referred to in the sources [5, 6].
Bibliography
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Isabel Horovitz. 1999. “The materials and techniques of European paintings on copper supports”. In: M. Komanecky, ed. Copper as Canvas: Two Centuries of Masterpiece Paintings on Copper, 1575–1775. Phoenix Art Museum. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 63–92.
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J.A. van de Graaf. 1976. “Development of Oil Paint and the Use of Metal Plates as a Support”. In: N. S. Bromelle & P. Smith, eds. Conservation and Restoration of Pictorial Art. London: Butterworth-Heinemann Limited, pp. 48–51.
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E. Peters Bowron 1999. “A brief history of European oil paintings on copper, 1560–1775”. In: M. Komanecky, ed. Copper as Canvas: Two Centuries of Masterpiece Paintings on Copper, 1575–1775. Phoenix Art Museum. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 9–30.
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Jørgen Wadum. 1999. “Antwerp Copper Plates”. In: M. Komanecky, ed. Copper as Canvas: Two Centuries of Masterpiece Paintings on Copper, 1575–1775. Phoenix Art Museum. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 93–116.
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Isabel Horovitz. 1986. “Paintings on copper supports: techniques, deterioration, and conservation”. In The Conservator, 10: 44–8.
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D. Vega. 2015. Study of the Ground Layer in Oil Paintings on Copper. Student’s project supervised by Dr. Leslie Carlyle and co-supervised by Dr. Isabel Pombo, DCR, FCT-UNL.
Art Materials Advisor: Painting on Copper
Why paint on copper? What are the advantages? How do you prepare copper for painting? Are there examples of paintings on copper? All these questions are answered by Artefex founders George O'Hanlon, Anton O'Hanlon, and Tatiana Zaytseva in this Art Materials Advisor live session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of paint will stick to copper?
Oil paints can adhere well to copper, but the surface must be properly prepared and primed to ensure adhesion and durability.
Does acrylic paint stay on copper?
While acrylic paint adheres to copper, it is not recommended for copper surfaces due to its waterborne composition. Acrylic paint can cause the copper surface to oxidize and form patinas, interfering with proper adhesion and may cause the paint to delaminate.
Can you paint on top of copper?
Yes, you can paint on top of copper, but the copper surface must be adequately prepared to ensure the paint adheres correctly. The copper surface should be free of oxidation, usually appearing as dark spots or areas.
How do you get paint to stick to copper?
To get paint to adhere to copper, thoroughly clean and degrease the surface, apply a suitable primer, and then proceed with painting.
What primer is best for copper?
An oil-based primer is best for copper, ensuring good adhesion and preventing oxidation. Traditionally, lead white oil grounds were used on copper and have ensured the longevity of the oil painting.
What happens if you paint copper?
When copper is painted, it can enhance the longevity and aesthetic appeal of the artwork, but improper preparation may lead to adhesion problems.
Why do you paint copper with oil?
Oil paint is often used on copper due to its superior adhesion, durability, and the vibrant finish it has on the metal surface. Oil paint forms chemical bonds with copper, as observed by the migration of copper ions into the paint layers.
Does oil paint on copper turn green?
White oil paint on copper may turn a slight green tint upon drying. This can be covered by another layer of paint that usually does not turn green. Copper may develop a green patina over time, but this is usually prevented by the protective layer of paint and primer and by avoiding exposure to high humidity.