These 400-year-old, 3-ft. x 10-ft. French doors were to be installed on a cabinet in the home's library. The commission to create a tetraptych scene on the raised panels of the doors was simply to present something fanciful, in keeping with the patron's love of story. Al chose to feature an enchanted castle, as though the viewer were standing nearby, looking down upon a densely wooded valley filled with mist and ringed by snowy mountains in the distance. |
When received at the studio, they served as their own easel, leaning against the east wall. |
Having sanded the raised panels to removed their finish, Al applies tinted Gesso to serve as the ground for the oil painting. |
Trimmed in gold, the panels were painted in the classical method wherein a hand-painted grisaille defines the composition of the image, which is then colored and textured by the application of numerous glazes. |
Tags: 2003, Framing, Project commentaries, Restoration and remodeling