CultureAugust 29, 2026
encaustic
en-KAW-stik
Definition
A technique of painting or surface decoration that uses hot, pigmented wax to create depth and texture.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word 'enkaustikos', meaning 'burnt in', referring to the ancient method of using heat to fix pigments into a surface.
In the news
Magnanti uses a carved encaustic technique to build up layers of wax, allowing her to carve into the surface and give her artworks a distinct physical depth.
Unfolding Hidden Histories: Renee Magnanti’s Women Scientists
Read the full article ↗Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art