Gilding and Illusion in the Paintings of Bernardino Fungai

Authors: Bomford, David; Roy, Ashok; Syson, Luke

Source: The National Gallery Technical Bulletin, Volume 27, Number 1, January 2006 , pp. 111-120(10)

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Abstract:

A National Gallery tondo on panel, The Virgin and Child with Cherubim (1331), by the Sienese painter Bernardino Fungai (1460-1516), reveals an unsual decorative gilded design. The Virgin's cream and gold robe is constructed from sections of sgraffito work over water-gilding in the highlit areas, and a similar design involving just paint for the areas in relative shadow. The technique produces a notably three-dimensional quality in the drapery which would have been particularly striking in a candle-lit church. This method appears unique to Fungai's work and is present also on his masterpiece, The Coronation of the Virgin, painted for the high altar of Santa Maria dei Servi in Siena. Comparison is made with the gilding techniques of other contemporary Sienese painters.

Keywords: BERNARDINO FUNGAI (1460-1516); TONDO; PANEL PAINTING; SIENESE PAINTING; SGRAFFITO; WATER-GILDING

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2006-01-01

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