Here's why:
* Tempera: This technique used pigments mixed with egg yolk, which created a durable and vibrant finish.
* Panel: Paintings were often executed on wooden panels, usually of oak or poplar, which provided a smooth and stable surface.
This combination allowed artists to achieve the highly detailed and refined aesthetic of the International Gothic style, with its emphasis on:
* Exquisitely detailed figures and decorative patterns
* Rich colors and gold leaf
* Elegant and elongated forms
While tempera on panel was the most common medium, artists also used other techniques, such as fresco (painting on wet plaster) and oil painting (which was just emerging at this time). However, tempera on panel remained the dominant medium during the International Gothic period (roughly 1350-1500).