Assist gilding - Preliminary steps

The reconstitution of the rays of the assist gilding is a difficult job when the original is damaged, but it is of capital importance to render the luminous majesty of the Pantocrator. The arrangement of the rays, the placing of the dark zones and the light must give a living and harmonious draping to the garment. It is, thus, necessary to study the traces of the original closely (with a magnifying glass), trying to understand the "logic" of the iconographer at the time by collecting gilded icons from the same period and place. Taking into account what we could distinguish on the original, we made reconstitution tests on several copies.

The rays can be traced in white (lead 90% / titanium 10%), this will give a "silver plated" gilding or like here, with kitrino and a point of yellow chrome, to obtain a "warmer" gilding. The most important thing is that the rays are precise and frank so that the application of the gold leaves can be made under the best conditions.

Next step:

Assist gilding - Finishing the icon

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