RUN-N-LATE 14TH CENTURY ITALIAN ALTARPIECES

Much to my pleasure, my masters education includes a practical workshop in reconstruction 14th century alterpiece panels, mirroring the "authentic" process (as specified, of course, by Cennino Cennini) as closely as possible; we cut a few corners though. As such, I have just returned from the studio having had the pleasure to work with glue made from rabbit skin! I wish to detail the process so that any of you can try this reconstruction at home.

First you must sand your wood panel smooth (although poplar is traditionally used, anything with a fine surface-i.e. oak, pine, mahogany, 2x4, etc-will work) and be sure to take ALL varnish off. Next, apply tree layers of rabbit skin glue (you can buy the resin boiled from the skin in pre-fabricated crystals to avoid having to kill and skin your own rabbit; just follow the directions for making on the stove), allowing each layer to dry before applying the next. Go over each very lightly with a dry brush as it is solidifying to get the air bubbles out.

Next you must mix up your gesso sottile for later. This is simply plaster of paris and can also be purchased at an art store. You must mix in proportions of 1 kilo to 10 litres of water. Add the gypsum to the water and stir slowly for about 75 minutes. You cannot stop or it will harden! After the mixture has thickened it will become thinner again, once it begins to thicken for the second time you will know you are about 75 in and can stop.

Now laddle about two cups of the mixture into a linen cloth and squeeze gently to extract the water. This will leave soft clumps of gesso sottile which should be formed into hamburgers and left to dry overnight on a rack. Repeat until all is used. We will return to this later

For the gesso grosso, mix plaster with the rabbit glue so it is fairly thin, then grind in a mortar and pestle until smooth. Apply a thin layer to your glue-panel. Allow to dry, and apply two more layers this way, preparing the gesso grosso each time so it doesn't harden.

After the three layers you are going to distill your gesso sottile in a bit of water to make it liquid again. Grind in mortar and pestle until quite smooth, and apply 7 layers to your panel, allowing each to dry of course.

Once the panel has been coated with the gessos, you must scrape it smooth with a blade, but careful not to gauge it! Now you are ready to paint!

*For instructions on preparing egg tempera or for guilding, contact me personally. Also, above instructions will cover about 8 small panels, so adjust your measurements accordingly.