The workshop of illumination

QueDuring the Middle Ages in Europe all knowledge of polychrome painting on wood panels passed down from the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome was largely forgotten.

However the technique was to an extent preserved in monasteries and generously passed on by friars, who taught the value of knowledge of the art, putting it on a par with the other scientific disciplines such as history and chemistry.

Reintroduced in Europe by the Moors throughout Spain and Southern Italy, these techniques started growing in popularity again during the 12th and 13th centuries thanks to Italian merchants, mainly from Venice, Genoa, Pisa, Amalfi and Ragusa.

The ancient masters have left us priceless masterpieces of great beauty, which survived through history and time; this is a sign of great wisdom and skill in the use of ancient materials such as casein chalk, egg white, milk, animal glue, etc.

The aim of the course is the study of these works, the appreciation of the methods used and the analysis of the recipes for the preparation of materials used in antiquity, in order to allow students to reconstruct the creative process and thus have a correct approach to restoration.

COURSE OUTLINE
-Techniques, methods and materials in antique polychrome decoration of different subtrates: binders and pigments.
-Comparison of wooden sculptures from Egypt, Spain, Italy (slides and originals)
-Practical exercise utilising antique techniques