Cherub from the chamber of the queen, carved by Fanchelli and gilt à la grecque by Daniel Sievert. photo: Lynne Rutter |
A fascinating and integral part of my work is the restoration of historic buildings, surfaces, furniture, and antiques. It's not my primary business these days, but it inspires and informs my work and the techniques I employ every day. When I travel I am excited to see the work of other restoration artisans, so I am especially thrilled to share with you my visit to the Château de Versailles, more specifically, this glimpse inside the atelier of the gilder-restorers.
Laurent Hissier and Daniel Sievert. photo by Jerôme Hissier |
Standing in a small bedroom, in what might be called the attic, crammed with broken gilt chairs and other odd bits of furniture that are more or less priceless, Laurent remarked that this a life’s work that is never finished. This is why it is so important to pass on the knowledge.
restoration in progress of a gilt wood bench. photo: Lynne Rutter |
Laurent and I kept up a correspondence via email, while I anxiously anticipated the book he and Daniel were writing - the book - detailing everything they know about gilding.
In
October I visited Versailles again and called on my friends in the
gilding atelier, where I was presented with a beautifully inscribed copy
of Art et Techniques de la Dorure à Versailles - Gilding
at Versailles! buy this book! |
The gilding and restoration workshop is an airy, beautiful studio housed in the petite écurie, the former stables of the King. Restoration is a ceaseless effort here; restorers have access to the best materials, the support of the state, and a seemingly endless stream of thrilling projects working on priceless items of national importance. The sense of purpose and responsibility one feels there is truly awesome.
The gilder-restorers’ work is traditional in nature, with techniques passed down from teacher to student, from master to apprentice, forming an unbroken link from the creation of a piece to its renewal, and then on to the next generation of restorers to come. Gilding at Versailles documents this work and continues this tradition. The book represents generations of accumulated knowledge from work done in the palace over the years.
excerpt from Gilding at Versailles - step by step restoration of a gilt console |
Ziska, Daniel, and Lynne in the studio |
limestone stairway to the atelier |
My colleague Ziska Childs and I had a nice visit with Daniel. Ziska is an accomplished scenic artist and designer, and having lived in Paris, she fortunately speaks French rather well. Artisans from other areas of the atelier came in to meet the visiting artists from America. We told them all how famous Daniel is.
Laurent was unfortunately away that day. Where? Oh, he was in Italy restoring something in the Vatican Palace. Yes I know how that sounds. It is exactly how it sounds... what a life!
a vivid assortment of pigments photo: Lynne Rutter |
a carved and gilt sample in the atelier photo: Lynne Rutter |
a collection of moulds of classical ornament for decorating frames photo: Lynne Rutter |
faux limestone finish painted by Laurent Hissier |
Maître Lefumat passed in 2010, a loss felt keenly by everyone at Versailles, and indeed the entire decorative painting community.
Daniel Sievert retired at the end of 2011 after 52 years of dedicated service and splendid work.
The torch has been passed to Laurent, restaurateur en bois doré et peintre en décors.
Laurent also teaches traditional gilding at the Ecole d'Art Murals de Versailles, and he has a blog where he posts inspiring pictures of the work he is doing: dorure-versailles.blogspot.com
apprentices working in the studio photo: Lynne Rutter |
Laurent's beautifully rendered faux bois doors and faux marbre supports |
After our studio visit Ziska and I toured the Palace to see some of the work of Daniel and Laurent, and Maîtres Lefumat and Grandvoinet, and all those that came before them.
Detail of one of 24 carved limewood and gilt frames, circa 1687 (recently restored) in the Cotelle Gallery of the Grand Trianon, Versailles. |
further reading:
Art et Techniques de la Dorure à Versailles - Gilding at Versailles
by Laurent Hissier and Daniel Sievert
L'Art du Faux Marbre
by Pierre Lefumat
published by Editions Vial with both French and English text
available from Pierre Finkelstein at fauxbrushes.com
Excerpts from Gilding at Versailles use with permission.
photos by Lynne Rutter unless otherwise noted
You are so lucky-god i hope I get to visit there some day. I am so longing to travel to Europe again! Thanks for the photos- love all of them!
ReplyDeleteHi, Lynne - It looks as though you got the tour of a lifetime, and now I have yet another book to add to my wish list. Maybe it will be a Christmas gift to myself . . .
ReplyDeleteMark, thanks for stopping by. The book is very technical but since the examples are all insanely fabulous antiques and the palace itself, it's a big box of eye candy.
DeleteI look soooo joyous in that pic, thanks ever so for posting...(the studio is fab, and Daniel is a sweetheart) If you haven't bought the book yet, what's wrong with you?
ReplyDeleteZiska, looks like you are still in the "fro" part of "fromage" there.
DeleteLynne,
ReplyDeleteThis whole post was eye candy for my soul!
I cannot think of a more idyllic job than to work in the atelier.
Thanks for sharing with us and also allowing us to see the famous Ziska Childs!
What a trip you must have had!