Gesso More Art

Icilio Federico Joni. Italian ( b.1866 - d.1946 ). Painted Gesso, Gilt & Wood Tavolette Book Cover Binding In The Sienese Biccherna Aesthetic. Book Cover size 11 inches x 8.1 inches ( 28cm x 20.5cm ). Frame size 16 inches x 13 inches ( 40.5cm x 33cm ). Available for sale; this painted gesso and gilt “tavolette” wooden book cover in the Biccherna aesthetic is by Icilio Federico Joni. The book cover is mounted and supplied in a contemporary black Tulip Wood frame (which is shown in these photographs) which is glazed with non-reflective Tru Vue UltraVue® UV70 glass. The wooden book cover is curved and float mounted giving a wonderful 3D depth to its presentation. The gesso and painted surfaces have benefitted from professional restoration which was performed on our instruction, supervision and approval. This antique book cover is in very good condition, commensurate with its age. The frame presentation is new and in excellent condition. Combined, it wants for nothing and is supplied ready to hang and display. The story of these panels and of their artist is fascinating, and begins in 13th century Siena: The Biccherna was the person who held the position of Magistrate of Chancellery of Finance from the 13th to the 14th century for the republic and the city of Siena, in the Tuscany region of Italy. The records of that office were very important because Siena was one of the earliest and most significant banking centres in Italy, and indeed in Europe. It became the fashion to keep banking and taxation records of the region in large books with painted leather covers. These were originally made from wood and leather. In the competition to make these ever more prestigious the bindings and panels on the front and rear of the books were painted by the major artists of the day, such as Giovanni di Paolo. Many of these mainly secular covers are displayed in the Archives of the State of Siena located in the Palazzo Piccolmini. The Gothic Revival of the 19th century occurred partly as a reaction against the progress of industrialisation in Europe generally. It was however greatly affected by the unification of Italy in the second half of the 19th century. This led to the closure and downsizing of many religious institutions, which resulted in the dispersal of thousands of works of art dating from the Middle Ages and early Renaissance. Many aristocratic and bourgeois families struggled to pay debts or simply to make ends meet and so they sold off their private collections and family heirlooms. There was then an influx of goods into the antiques market which provided a great deal of work for Italy’s restorers and craftsmen, since many of these pieces were in need of cleaning, repair and, in keeping with the interventionist tastes of the times, radical restoration, before they could be sold on, often to foreign buyers. These early Italian works became so fashionable that demand soon outstripped supply. This in turn gave rise to a new type of artist-craftsman capable of turning out from scratch increasingly convincing reproductions, imitations and out-and-out fakes. Siena naturally became the epicentre of this thriving cottage industry because of the extraordinary continuity there in traditional craft skills. This technical expertise had been handed down from generation to generation, and it was perhaps inevitable that a number of artists with real talent, the flair of commerce and a genuine love and understanding of antique Sienese art should adapt their skills to these new market conditions. Among these artists were Igino Gottardi, Alceo Dossena, Fulvio Corsini, Umberto Giunti...

This outstanding piece was done to represent lively towns around Mexico. It´s 3D formation gives spaces unique contrasts and the color palette was done specifically to bring emotion ...

The two artists and industrial designers, Ampi Arozarena and Elena De La Fuente describe form and color as their core of exploration. They admire the dual identity the two elements c...

CHARLES LEVIER – UNTITLED [NATURE MORTE AVEC MANDOLINE, PICHET ET FRUITS] Oil on Board ⚜ Signed Lower Right ⚜ Custom Minimalist Frame A RARE MIDCENTURY STILL LIFE WITH STRIKING SCAL...

The two artists and industrial designers, Ampi Arozarena and Elena De La Fuente describe form and color as their core of exploration. They admire the dual identity the two elements c...

Funny Weather is part of my latest series: Roots of a City. Each painting in this series is based on the urban environments of places that I have visited or lived in. There is an emo...

Icilio Federico Joni. Italian ( b.1866 - d.1946 ). Painted Gesso, Gilt & Wood Tavolette Book Cover Binding In The Sienese Biccherna Aesthetic. Book Cover size 11 inches x 8.1 inches ( 28cm x 20.5cm ). Frame size 16 inches x 13 inches ( 40.5cm x 33cm ). Available for sale; this painted gesso and gilt “tavolette” wooden book cover in the Biccherna aesthetic is by Icilio Federico Joni. The book cover is mounted and supplied in a contemporary black Tulip Wood frame (which is shown in these photographs) which is glazed with non-reflective Tru Vue UltraVue® UV70 glass. The wooden book cover is curved and float mounted giving a wonderful 3D depth to its presentation. The gesso and painted surfaces have benefitted from professional restoration which was performed on our instruction, supervision and approval. This antique book cover is in very good condition, commensurate with its age. The frame presentation is new and in excellent condition. Combined, it wants for nothing and is supplied ready to hang and display. The story of these panels and of their artist is fascinating, and begins in 13th century Siena: The Biccherna was the person who held the position of Magistrate of Chancellery of Finance from the 13th to the 14th century for the republic and the city of Siena, in the Tuscany region of Italy. The records of that office were very important because Siena was one of the earliest and most significant banking centres in Italy, and indeed in Europe. It became the fashion to keep banking and taxation records of the region in large books with painted leather covers. These were originally made from wood and leather. In the competition to make these ever more prestigious the bindings and panels on the front and rear of the books were painted by the major artists of the day, such as Giovanni di Paolo. Many of these mainly secular covers are displayed in the Archives of the State of Siena located in the Palazzo Piccolmini. The Gothic Revival of the 19th century occurred partly as a reaction against the progress of industrialisation in Europe generally. It was however greatly affected by the unification of Italy in the second half of the 19th century. This led to the closure and downsizing of many religious institutions, which resulted in the dispersal of thousands of works of art dating from the Middle Ages and early Renaissance. Many aristocratic and bourgeois families struggled to pay debts or simply to make ends meet and so they sold off their private collections and family heirlooms. There was then an influx of goods into the antiques market which provided a great deal of work for Italy’s restorers and craftsmen, since many of these pieces were in need of cleaning, repair and, in keeping with the interventionist tastes of the times, radical restoration, before they could be sold on, often to foreign buyers. These early Italian works became so fashionable that demand soon outstripped supply. This in turn gave rise to a new type of artist-craftsman capable of turning out from scratch increasingly convincing reproductions, imitations and out-and-out fakes. Siena naturally became the epicentre of this thriving cottage industry because of the extraordinary continuity there in traditional craft skills. This technical expertise had been handed down from generation to generation, and it was perhaps inevitable that a number of artists with real talent, the flair of commerce and a genuine love and understanding of antique Sienese art should adapt their skills to these new market conditions. Among these artists were Igino Gottardi, Alceo Dossena, Fulvio Corsini, Umberto Giunti...

This acrylic and collage landscape painting captures a symphony of delicate, hand-cut collage trilliums, meticulously crafted to create an enchanting scene of nature's beauty. Mixed ...

The two artists and industrial designers, Ampi Arozarena and Elena De La Fuente describe form and color as their core of exploration. They admire the dual identity the two elements c...

In this still life painting, emphasis is placed on detail and strong composition. Multiple layers of paint build up a gently textured surface. The combination of geometric detail, bo...

PEAR SHAPE - In this still-life painting, emphasis is placed on detail and strong composition. Multiple layers of paint build up a gently textured surface. The combination of bold sh...

The Rising Collection, my latest body of work, combines two key elements of my process—my signature use of needlepoint, plus, the use of powdered pigment, g...

graphite and gesso on panel

This elegant art work is inspired in Dendrochronology. New growth in trees occurs in a layer of cells near the bark. A tree's growth rate changes in a predictable pattern throughout the year in response to seasonal climate changes, resulting in visible growth rings. Each ring marks a complete cycle of seasons, or one year, in the tree's life. This changing patterns are what inspired the artist in doing this 3d sculpture...

The two artists and industrial designers, Ampi Arozarena and Elena De La Fuente describe form and color as their core of exploration. They admire the dual identity the two elements c...

The two artists and industrial designers, Ampi Arozarena and Elena De La Fuente describe form and color as their core of exploration. They admire the dual identity the two elements c...

The two artists and industrial designers, Ampi Arozarena and Elena De La Fuente describe form and color as their core of exploration. They admire the dual identity the two elements c...

The two artists and industrial designers, Ampi Arozarena and Elena De La Fuente describe form and color as their core of exploration. They admire the dual identity the two elements c...

This beautful piece was handmade in the heart of Mexico City. The two colors chosen are perfect for decorating modern yet elegant spaces. It is a piece you will never get tierd of lo...

The two artists and industrial designers, Ampi Arozarena and Elena De La Fuente describe form and color as their core of exploration. They admire the dual identity the two elements c...

The two artists and industrial designers, Ampi Arozarena and Elena De La Fuente describe form and color as their core of exploration. They admire the dual identity the two elements c...

The two artists and industrial designers, Ampi Arozarena and Elena De La Fuente describe form and color as their core of exploration. They admire the dual identity the two elements c...

"The ideal state is not one which everyone has access to the same amount of wealth, but in proportion to their contribution to the general wealth" This piece was handmade in the hea...

This lovely painting was done by the artist in Mexico City. Inspired by the beautiful lake and village only 2 hours away from the city. There, sailboats and changing sunsets are boun...

The Rising Collection, my latest body of work, combines two key elements of my process—my signature use of needlepoint, plus, the use of powdered pigment, g...

Gouache on gesso board

This is a handmade beautiful piece, done in the heart of Mexico City by two industrial designers and artists. It has fixings on the back for easy mounting on walls. The texture and t...