grisaille

[ gri-zahy, -zeyl; French gree-zah-yuh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural gri·sailles [gri-, zahyz, -, zeylz, g, r, ee-, zah, -y, uh]

grisaille

/ ɡrizɑj; ɡrɪˈzeɪl /

a technique of monochrome painting in shades of grey, as in an oil painting or a wall decoration, imitating the effect of relief
a painting, stained glass window, etc, in this manner

1840–50; < French: painted in gray monotone, equivalent to gris gray + -aille noun suffix

C19: from French, from gris grey

In the choirs clearstory are the single figures and grisaille that were in vogue during the next century.

As there is color in them, it is inexact to call such windows grisaille, but the subdued note of grisaille glass predominates.

The opaline loveliness of the choirs clearstory grisaille has drawn from M. Viollet-le-Duc one of his most eloquent pages.

Above and below the canopied figures in the clearstory lights are panels of grisaille.

In Auxerre, the grisaille is found only in the lateral windows which are seen obliquely.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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