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DELL’UNIVERSITÀ E DELLA RICERCA
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Location of the school
Gold leaf technique workshop in Florence
WORKSHOP: THE GOLD LEAF TECHNIQUE
about our gold leaf technique workshop
The gold leaf technique is an ancient decorative method that involves applying extremely thin sheets of gold to a surface. This technique has been used since antiquity to decorate sacred objects, icons, sculptures, manuscripts, and architectural elements.
During the Middle Ages, and especially during the Renaissance, gold leaf was widely used in painting and religious decoration, as seen in the works of artists such as Giotto di Bondone and Sandro Botticelli.
Gold leaf is an extremely thin sheet of beaten gold, which can be as little as approximately 0.1 microns thick. It can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including wood, plaster, canvas, metal, glass, and ceramics.
The gold leaf workshop program can be customized to suit each student.
PROGRAM OF THE GOLD LEAF TECHNIQUE WORKSHOP
The step-by-step process is as follows:
1. Surface preparation
The surface must be perfectly smooth and clean.
Main steps:
- Sanding the surface.
- Applying gesso (gesso and animal glue) to create an even base.
- Smoothing the surface once dry.
- Applying bole (in traditional gilding), which improves adhesion and enhances the tone of the gold.
2. Applying the gold leaf
Oil gilding (gilding with size) – The simplest method and one that is widely used today.
Steps:
- Apply the gilding size to the surface.
- Wait for the appropriate tack time, when the size becomes slightly sticky.
- Carefully apply the gold leaf.
- Press gently with a soft brush.
- Remove any excess.
3. Finishing
After application:
- Remove any excess gold.
- Make any necessary touch-ups.
- Apply a protective varnish, if required.
The gold leaf technique has been used in sacred painting, Byzantine icons, frames and furniture, wooden sculptures, and illuminated manuscripts.
A famous example is the use of gold backgrounds in medieval paintings, such as those found in the works of Duccio di Buoninsegna.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE: THE GOLD LEAF TECHNIQUE
Workshops can be organized on any weekday, excluding Saturday and Sunday, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Individual, semi-private (two-person), and self-organized group gold leaf workshops can also be held in the morning upon request.
PRICES IN EUROS per person
| 4 hours workshop | |
| Individual gold leaf workshop | 200 |
| Two-to-one gold leaf workshop | 160 |
| Workshop for a self-composed small group (3–4 participants) | 110 |
Two-person and small-group workshops are organized for friends or family members who enroll together.
The cost of materials varies depending on the technique and the type of work. For this reason, materials are not included in the course price and must be paid directly to the instructor.