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curriculum vitae Icons and panel paintings
curriculum vitae Icons and panel paintings | Icons and panel paintings |
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Most of the icons, as well as panel paintings up to the 14th centuries, are painted with egg tempera on wood . Therefore the conservation technique differs from canvas oil paintings. All the problems linked to the wodden support plus the interaction of the two elements -support and painting- are added. Wood is an organic matter and therefore constantly reacts on the different environmental changes, mostly temperature and relativ humidity. Being grown, it contains irregularities such as veines and branches, and is susceptible to insect and funghy attacks. Often a wooden panel contains foreign materials such as (rusted) nails, adhesivs… or is composed of several boards which have tendency to seperate and warp. On its painted surface you can find different guilding techniques, plaster or putty decorations, metal works, pearls, beads, embroyderies or semi precious stones. In the case of diptyques, triptyques… there may be locking and folding mechanisms of various materials and in more or less good conditions. I am extremely attracted to these beauties which have become one of my specialities and favorits and whom I care for for over 30 years.   Archangel Gabriel, greek, XVth centuries, anonymous This fantastic example with strong Byzantine influence is part of a great icon collection in San Francisco. I had the privilege to work on it to do some local consolidation and minor touch-ups. This icon became the cover of an important book on icons, often called the “bible” of icons.  Mother of God with Child, End of XVth, Beginning of XVIth c., Tempera on wooden panel, anonymous. Wonderful classical example of best icon painting. Observing the volumes of the panel this is an example dating before the XVII c. This icon must have been a very miraculous one, having been ornated with numerous oklads (metallic or pearl decorations). You can see this at the multiple filled in nail holes all over the whit background. When she lost the last one, the background was probably so strongly deteriorated with nail holes, that the paint layer was stripped and the holes just filled in. The white colour is just the colour of the preparation.  Deesis, greek, End of XIV th, beginning of XV th centuries, tempera on levkas on wooden panel, anonymous. An extremely nice, elegant and classic example of Byzantine art. The owner was the last descendant of the old royal family of Albany. I worked on this piece to do some local consolidation and replace old retouchings. |