Gesso layers on Portuguese Baroque altarpieces : materials, practices and durability
The surviving baroque gilded and polychrome wooden altarpieces in Portuguese churches offer an opportunity for the study of the relationship between historical documentary sources and physical evidence. This project involved four research elements. The first considered written documents surviving from the 17th and 18th centuries - ecclesiastical account books and contracts made between the Portuguese Church and the artists they employed. From these, detailed information was extracted about the materials used in the gesso grounds of the altarpieces. The second concentrated on extensive analysis of gesso grounds of gilded samples from those objects. The third concentrated on experimental work on gilded wood simulations which revealed physical and mechanical aspects of these gesso grounds. Finally, a comparison of these three elements, together with supplementary research on the trade, economy, geology and history of the period, and on the physical/mechanical behaviour of materials, has led to new understandings. This study aimed to shed light on such areas as the artistsâ materials and practices, the relationship between artists and allied artisans, production and trade patterns of materials, the chemical
Fernandes Pombo Cardoso, M. I.
Gesso layers on Portuguese Baroque altarpieces : materials, practices and durability. The surviving baroque gilded and polychrome wooden altarpieces in Portuguese churches offer an opportunity for the study of the relationship between historical documentary sources and physical evidence. This project involved four research elements. The first considered written documents surviving from the 17th and 18th centuries - ecclesiastical account books and contracts made between the Portuguese Church and the artists they employed. From these, detailed information was extracted about the materials used in the gesso grounds of the altarpieces. The second concentrated on extensive analysis of gesso grounds of gilded samples from those objects. The third concentrated on experimental work on gilded wood simulations which revealed physical and mechanical aspects of these gesso grounds. Finally, a comparison of these three elements, together with supplementary research on the trade, economy, geology and history of the period, and on the physical/mechanical behaviour of materials, has led to new understandings. This study aimed to shed light on such areas as the artistsâ materials and practices, the relationship between artists and allied artisans, production and trade patterns of materials, the chemical
layer portuguese baroque material practice durability survive baroque gild wooden portuguese church offer_opportunity study relationship historical documentary_source physical_evidence project_involve four_element first consider write document survive ecclesiastical account book contract make portuguese church artists employ detailed_information extract material use ground second concentrate extensive_analysis ground gild sample object third concentrated experimental_work gild wood simulation reveal physical mechanical aspect ground finally comparison element together supplementary trade economy geology history period physical mechanical behaviour material lead new_understanding study aim_shed light area artists material practice relationship artist ally artisan production_trade pattern material chemical