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...

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...

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...

From John Singer Sargent’s Gassed, 1919 When considering the factors that are required (or at least helpful) for a lie to succeed, I constantly look to the audience. I constantly tr...

Icono of Saint Nicolas in the style of Russian icons of the 18th century. Egg tempera and gesso on wood, covered by a metal oklad made by the artist himself. The oklad, in principle, were made to cover damaged parts of highly revered ancient icons...

"Christ Pantocrator". After an Icon in the style of the Moscow school (15th century). Somewhat similar to that of Rublev. Author: Oliver Samsinguer Egg tempera and gold leaf on gesso and on wood. Dimensions; (H) 42 x (W) 33.5 x (D) 3.5 cm. (H) 16.54 x (W) 13.19 x (D) 1.38 in. 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 an agate. Gold leaf is real 24-carat gold . Now, 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...

Christ, the Great High Priest. Greek-Italian style Icon with silver filigreed oklad. Egg tempera, over gesso on wood with a silver cover, "oklad", with pol...

The Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus Italian 17th century oil on copper, in tabernacle frame Overall framed: 19 x 17 inches Actual copper panel: 14.25 x 11 inches Provenance: pr...

Icon of Our Lady of Jerusalem. Egg tempera on gesso and over a wooden board. Dimensions in centimeters: 42 x 34 x 2 cm / In inches: 16.54 x 13-39 x 0-79 " Author: Oliver Samsinger...

This painting is made by Pam Hawkes. On the painting you see the portrait of a woman This British artist is new to the Netherlands, her work is now a household name in the rest of ...

The Virgin of Tijvin (after a Russian icon in the style of the 18th Century). Egg tempera and gold leaf on gesso over wood. Measurements in centimeters: 45 x 36.5 x 3 cm / In inch...

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...