Dysartian
Huntingtower Castle – Painted Renaissance Ceiling Circa 1540
This is believed to be one of the earliest surviving painted ceilings from the Scottish Renaissance period. It is dated c.1540 and may be readily viewed at Huntingtower Castle, near Perth, which is run by Historic Scotland. This is only a small part of the ceiling.
It is traditional ‘beam and board ceiling made of oak and pine. The original technique was a size (distemper) medium made from boiled animal bones and skins, with dry pigments ground in the animal glue and painted on warm. The pigments used are fairly typical of the medieval palette: earth based iron oxide reds and yellows, carbon black and chalk white, which were cheap and easily obtained.
The ceiling was revealed in 1913 beneath pine panelling which was removed for restoration when the castle was taken into state care. Original 16th century painted plasterwork was also found on the walls hidden behind later plasterwork. Only fragments of this survive. However, images of various animals, floral decoration and possibly biblical figures can still be seen around the room.
The central figure here looks like a cat with a bird in its mouth. Somewhere in the building is a figure thought to represent 'The Green Man' but I couldn't locate the illustration this time on our brief visit to Huntingtower Castle yesterday. We shall have to return!
Huntingtower Castle – Painted Renaissance Ceiling Circa 1540
This is believed to be one of the earliest surviving painted ceilings from the Scottish Renaissance period. It is dated c.1540 and may be readily viewed at Huntingtower Castle, near Perth, which is run by Historic Scotland. This is only a small part of the ceiling.
It is traditional ‘beam and board ceiling made of oak and pine. The original technique was a size (distemper) medium made from boiled animal bones and skins, with dry pigments ground in the animal glue and painted on warm. The pigments used are fairly typical of the medieval palette: earth based iron oxide reds and yellows, carbon black and chalk white, which were cheap and easily obtained.
The ceiling was revealed in 1913 beneath pine panelling which was removed for restoration when the castle was taken into state care. Original 16th century painted plasterwork was also found on the walls hidden behind later plasterwork. Only fragments of this survive. However, images of various animals, floral decoration and possibly biblical figures can still be seen around the room.
The central figure here looks like a cat with a bird in its mouth. Somewhere in the building is a figure thought to represent 'The Green Man' but I couldn't locate the illustration this time on our brief visit to Huntingtower Castle yesterday. We shall have to return!