Gold Leaf Portrait Paintings

The Virgin of Kataphyge with Saint John the Evangelist, after a Bulgarian Byzantine icon of the 14th Century. Egg tempera and gold leaf on gesso and wood. Author: Oliver Samsinger...

Archangel Saint Michael after an icon from Constantinople of the 14th Century. Artist: Oliver Samsinger Technique: Egg tempera on gesso and wood, with application of gold leaf Dimens...

Christ Pantocrator after a Russian icon of the 15th Century. Tempera and gold leaf on gesso over a wooden board. Measurements in centimeters: 38 x 29.5 x 3 cm. / In inches: 14.96 x 11.8 x 1.18 " This is how the artist sums up the technique used by him to create the icon: “The aim of these steps is to create a durable painting. The icon is eternal. The first step is to choose a support, traditionally made of wood, from the center of the trunk to avoid warping it. For this purpose, two hardwood bolts were often used on the back to give the picture panel additional stability. Often a frame is milled out. Then the image carrier is sanded smooth and now 12 or 14 thin layers of gesso are applied and sanded smooth as well. Then the preliminary drawing is applied and the drawing board is prepared with a special preparation called bolus. This bolus can be polished to a high gloss. Afterwards, the gold leaf is "shot" with special brushes. It dries up within a few hours and can now be polished with agate. Gold leaf is real 24-carat gold. Now does the actual process of painting begins. Egg tempera is made fresh from egg yolk, water, and a little vinegar. This is used to prepare the color pigments. Tempera painting is done in numerous layers from dark to light. When the icon is finished, it is left to dry for a few months and varnished with a special varnish called Olifa made from boiled linseed oil and other ingredients”. ABOUT THE ARTIST Oliver Samsinger (Vienna, 1968) began to take an interest in icons in 1990. He undertakes several trips to Bulgaria, Greece, and Cyprus to see in situ the original works treasured in these three countries. This experience will be crucial in his life since the studies carried out in Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, and his stay on Mount Athos...

"The Archangel Gabriel", after a 10th‑century icon from the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos Artist: Oliver Samsinger. Technique: Egg tempera on gesso and wood, with gold leaf appli...

Virgin of Tijvin, after a Russian icon of the 17th century. Egg tempera, gold leaf on gesso over a wooden board. Measurements in centimeters: 44 x 33 x 3 cm / In inches: 17.32 x 12.99 x 1.18 " Author: Oliver Samsinger...

"The Luminous Moment #1 Blue and Orange" is a painting from a new series exploring the relationship between human and animal forms and two predominant complementary colors: blue and ...

This captivating oil portrait from the late 18th to early 19th century depicts a mysterious charming young woman, painted by an unknown but clearly professional master, presumably Fr...

Promenade Acrylic on wood 33.1 x 21.8 cm A compact yet striking cubist composition by French artist Grégoire Mathias, “Promenade” explores human figures through layered geometries and rich earth tones. “Promenade” is a refined, vertically oriented work in acrylic on wood panel by French artist Greg Mathias, a pioneer of Diachronic Cubism—an evolution of Cubism that doesn’t just fragment space, but also folds multiple moments in time into a single frame. In this composition, a solitary figure appears mid-step, portrayed through overlapping forms that subtly shift in posture and position, evoking successive instants of the same walk. Using a palette of earthy ochres, rose-beige tones, slate blues, and deep browns, Mathias blends geometric abstraction with temporal movement. The fractured background enhances the impression of both forward motion and layered time, suggesting the silent passage of moments within a single contemplative scene. Unlike traditional Analytical Cubism, which reduces forms to a still, spatial analysis, this piece embodies motion and transformation—hallmarks of the artist’s unique visual language. Compact in size but conceptually expansive, “Promenade” invites the viewer to witness the echo of steps already taken and those just about to occur. Perfect For: Interior designers sourcing vertical wall art...

Hunt Slonem "Cloud 9" White and Blue Mottled Bunny A single rabbit gestured in black on a mottled white and blue background in a vintage frame Unframed: 10 x 8 inches Framed: 14.5 x...

Peter Keil's textured painting on canvas. Signed and dated 1997. This one is stunning in person. Background paint is textured on the canvas. Amazing gilt frame with a textured fabric...

Daggi Wallace's "Not All That Glitters II" is an original, handmade mixed media painting that depicts a female's model face with gold leaf drips. Born and raised in Berlin, Germany...

"2/3" by Conrado López is a delicate yet expressive 2024 artwork, utilizing acrylic, gold leaf and oil on a canvas sized at 15.75 x 15.75 in (40 x 40cm). This piece is a prime exa...