Vintage Artist's Palette

The artist’s palette, as we know it (a hand-held board on which paints are mixed) is first depicted in art of the 15th century. Initially, palettes had a handle, like a pizza paddle. By the late 17th century, someone had the genius idea to put a thumb-hole in the palette itself, so that the artist could easily rest it on their forearm. Small oval or rectangular palettes like this one were found suitable until the mid 19th century, when larger, more complex palettes were introduced (sometimes contoured to fit the painter’s torso).

This simple palette is likely from the late 19th century. One side is rather obsessively worked, but the other shows a more restrained use of pigment, leaving the rich tones of the wood exposed. A charming object; creativity arrested in the act.

Image of the painter and her palette is Pictura (An Allegory of Painting), by Frans van Mieris, 1661. Oil on copper, 5 x 3 1/2 in. Collection of the Getty Museum of Art, Los Angeles