Imprimatur
ground toning; coloured imprimatura
noun im-pri-MAH-toor Rare
Origin: from Latin imprimere, to impress
Usage Note
Imprimatur in painting refers to a thin, toned layer applied over the white ground before painting, reducing glare and establishing a mid-tone base. Neutral in gender (das Imprimatur) and used in oil-painting technique.
Examples
"Er legte ein ockergelbes Imprimatur an, bevor er die eigentlichen Farben aufbrachte."
Natural Translation
He applied an ochre-yellow imprimatura before applying the actual colours.
Literal Translation
He laid an ochre-yellow imprimatura, before he the actual colours applied.
Related Words
- Abguss cast, casting (plaster or metal replica of a sculpture)
- Abstraktion abstraction (non-representational art)
- Acrylfarbe acrylic paint
- Akanthus acanthus (decorative leaf motif)
- Akt nude
- Aktmalerei nude painting; figure painting
- Aktmodell life model; nude model (for drawing or painting)
- Aktzeichnung life drawing, figure drawing (of the nude)
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