What is Encaustic Painting?

Encaustic painting is one of the oldest artistic mediums in human history with the earliest records predating Christ. Encaustic, from the Greek word "Enkaustikos " (meaning to burn in) refers to painting with pigments and wax, which are fused and sealed with heat. Difficult to master, the resulting paintings can create images with translucency, texture, and luster that are difficult to achieve in other mediums. 

Some of the earliest recorded instances of Encaustic are from the Greeks who applied coatings of wax and pitch to their ships in order to keep them from deteriorating. They also began pigmenting the wax which led to the decoration of warships and merchant ships. By 500-323 BC, crude paint was being refined into something that could be applied with tar brushes onto panels--this established practice is known as encaustic painting.  

Terracotta column-krater (bowl for mixing wine and water)ca. 360–350 BCE, 

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 172

A 4th Century BC terracotta krater vase in the Metropolitan museum

depicts a painter applying encaustic to a sculpture of Heracles while his servant

heats up metal spatulas on a charcoal brazier.

The Fayum funeral portraits painted in the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D. by Greek painters in Egypt are some of the most well-known encaustic works. After Alexander conquered Egypt, a significant number of Greeks settled there and eventually began mummifying their dead. To memorialize these people, paintings were done either while they were alive or after they had passed away. These portraits would then be placed over the top of the mummy as a way to remember them.

The fall of the Roman Empire lead to mass economic instability, extinguishing many artistic practices including the use of encaustic. Some forms including icon painting were carried out until as late as the 7th century, but it was mainly lost. Less demanding and cheaper alternatives such as tempera and oils became more popular during this time.

Encaustic art has seen a resurgence in popularity since the 1990s, with artists rediscovering (with much effort) the formulas and techniques. The medium is not limited to just simple designs; it can also be used to create complex paintings,  Although technically difficult to master, attractions of this medium for contemporary artists are its dimensional quality and luminous color.