Embrace the Extravagance: Gilded Painting Presents for Discerning Tastes

Carved and gilded objects punctuate the visual vocabulary of a painting. They add depth and dimension, and they elevate the subject matter by adding symbolic meanings.

Heda had an incredible sense of observation – shape, texture and material – and the ability to translate that into the language of painting. This was especially noticeable in his use of chiaroscuro.

Golden Relief Carving Replicas

Gilded, Carved, and Embossed explores the crosscurrents between Indigenous and European representational systems that led to new religious subjects clad in traditional forms, as well as old ones adapted into Catholicism’s visual vocabulary. The exhibition, a pair of recent acquisitions by the Benton, and bilingual treatment embody the museum’s goals of accessibility and presenting historically marginalized narratives to expanding audiences.

When Lindsay Neathawk saw the Arch of Titus’s Spoils of Jerusalem relief on a 1998 trip to Rome, she didn’t know it would be almost two decades before she made the first hi-tech replica of it. She spent 49 days last summer carving, slicing, and chipping the piece that will hang in the gallery. It is complemented by three different digital projections created by VIZIN that overlay in a continuous loop: the first reconstructs the carving, the second restores its full colorization based on polychrome scanning of the original and other Roman sculpture, and the third shows the eroded colors that may have appeared over time.

Gilded Ceramic Vase Sets

A gilded ceramic vase set is a unique way to draw attention to a centerpiece. They can be used to display single long stem flowers or to complement the décor of your living room, kitchen or entryway. This Italian modern set of three vases is a statement piece that adds a strong personality to your space.

The gold finish on the ceramic material enhances the gilded edges of this decorative piece. The geometric exterior is striking as a stand alone decor item, but this piece also pairs well with other similar decor items. This glam style set comes in a trio of different sizes that are ideal for displaying individually or creating a unique stacked look.

In gilding, oil size is painted onto the surface to be gilded. Once the size dries, a thin layer of gold leaf is laid over it and gently compressed with a gilders’ pounce pad or brush. The gilded surface is then sealed with shellac to protect it against light handling while subduing its brilliance. The result is a timeless work of art. This product ships direct from the manufacturer, so we are unable to ship to Alaska and Hawaii, P.O. Boxes or APO/FPO/DPO addresses. If you have any questions, please contact us directly before placing your order.

Gold Plated Still Life Paintings

Throughout the 1600s, gold and other precious materials figured prominently in still life paintings. They helped artists elevate their work while signaling affluence, and they allowed them to forge new visual vocabularies.

A gold-plated lobster, for example, conveys status in a painting that features it as the centerpiece of an array of seafood, fruit, and other edibles. Pieter de Ring portrayed the red creature with scientific observation, capturing its proportions and anatomy. The lustrous object also carries symbolic associations with luxury, wealth, and gluttony.

Another example is Johannes Vermeer’s Milkmaid Reading a Letter by an Open Window (1659). Although the artist opted for simplicity, he carefully enhanced the modest subject matter with a shimmering Persian rug on the floor, silver trays Tranh thu phap and cups, and gilded decorative elements.

The symphony of light, texture, and color in Van Es’s Still Life with a Chinese Bowl, a Nautilus Cup, and Fruit is dazzling. This masterpiece of the genre is a product of the golden age of the Dutch Republic, when artists like Willem Kalf produced fancy pronk (“display”) paintings displaying imported porcelains and other treasured items. The aristocratic taste of the art collectors who commissioned these works was also evident in their selection of subjects and objects. For instance, the Chinese dish depicted in this painting was an expensive item that only a wealthy person could afford, while the nautilus cup was a common domestic imitation of the more prestigious Ming wares.