Applying Gold in Paintings: Stories of Gold | National Gallery

How did artists such as Andrea Mantegna and Duccio apply gold to their paintings? Explore the different gilding techniques used in works such as 'The Wilton Diptych' and 'The San Pier Maggiore Altarpiece', with our Curatorial, Scientific and Conservation departments.
Gold shines bright throughout the National Gallery's collection. It's used to depict glittering jewellery, extravagant fabrics and golden gifts with gold leaf featuring in both the paintings and the frames themselves. Go behind the scenes at the Gallery to explore how and why artists have used gold throughout the collection with our film series.
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The National Gallery houses the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition from the 13th to the 19th centuries. The museum is free of charge and open 361 days per year, daily between 10.00 am - 6.00 pm and on Fridays between 10.00 am - 9.00 pm.
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Пікірлер: 45

  • @aatt3209
    @aatt32094 жыл бұрын

    The scientists at the National Gallery have the best jobs in the world!

  • @kevinchambers1101
    @kevinchambers1101 Жыл бұрын

    Incredible objects. A wonderful presentation.

  • @murraykriner9425
    @murraykriner94252 жыл бұрын

    This is truly one of the long lost arts of the period, with only the decorative arts; custom vehicle finishes and sign writing still predominantly use just a few of the methods you mentioned here. Yet it was the goldsmiths of Cellinis' time along with the carpenters and painter's that worked in close order these thrilling altars we see here. I have read many accounts of the specifics on Gold leafing, and as there is some confusion with terms then in use, its much a gamble then approaching these magnificent works by these illustrious master's. My thanks, and warmest regards in your efforts.

  • @lisengel2498
    @lisengel2498 Жыл бұрын

    So beautifull - I would have liked the video to be longer and to really look a bit longer on each piece while listening to your explanation both about the technique and the special scenario of art🧡🧡🧡

  • @supremereader7614
    @supremereader76142 жыл бұрын

    Great video. National Gallery is such a great service to the world

  • @zarathustra8789
    @zarathustra87896 жыл бұрын

    Outstanding video, please do more of these on tempera, fresco, oil and other pigments such as cochineal and indian yellow maybe?

  • @karimmarquette990
    @karimmarquette9902 жыл бұрын

    I believe one of the primary uses of gold was its ability to reflect light. Prior to electricity, artificial lighting was provided by candles or oil. Therefore, the use of gold reflected and amplified any ambient light, and gave the viewer the ability not only to see the work of art, but also give it a mysterious glow in dark circumstances. I believe this is why royal furniture (Louis XIV) is often painted in gold, one could therefore see it easier at night. It would be wonderful for musems to turn off electric light, and show these beautiful pieces of art as originally intended, in candlelight. There is simply too much light in museums. Try to recreate the lighting which existed when the works were painted.

  • @karanaferreira

    @karanaferreira

    2 жыл бұрын

    I think having flame near such old paintings will be anxiety enduring but I agree, and candle light is lovely

  • @lisengel2498
    @lisengel2498 Жыл бұрын

    Celebration of the beauty and Golden light - its like being surrounded by the Golden Sunlight - very attracting and at the same time radiating beauty and limitless mystery 🧡🧡🧡

  • @julianalmonster
    @julianalmonster5 жыл бұрын

    0:17 omg what a funny baby face

  • @katerynavolkova-shapovalen995
    @katerynavolkova-shapovalen9952 жыл бұрын

    Just an awesome narration! Thank you so much 🧡💛❤️

  • @claramanana7463
    @claramanana74632 жыл бұрын

    Quite exhaustive!

  • @brianrichards7006
    @brianrichards70066 жыл бұрын

    There was another common decorative technique used, which is not mentioned, and that is the use of what is essentially, a goldsmiths punch. That is, a rod of metal which has an incuse design, or a raised design on the end. The design end is pressed into the gold leafed gesso to create a raised design, or a simple punch is pressed into the gold leafed gesso to produce a sunken design. This is a great video with some of the World's greatest artworks beautifully displayed and explained.

  • @music-sc7eg

    @music-sc7eg

    5 жыл бұрын

    punches at 2:24

  • @1959tonyfitz
    @1959tonyfitz6 жыл бұрын

    Terrific video - also beautifully lit and photographed

  • @jennyhughes4474
    @jennyhughes44742 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this it's interesting, & for the english subtitles too!

  • @teresanferreira
    @teresanferreira Жыл бұрын

    Thank you

  • @CarlWicker
    @CarlWicker6 жыл бұрын

    Great video, thank you.

  • @annwilliams6438
    @annwilliams64382 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. Fascinating topic so well described.

  • @aryunamira8089
    @aryunamira80896 жыл бұрын

    Amazing!

  • @romanburgan1442
    @romanburgan14426 жыл бұрын

    wonderful!

  • @skpjoecoursegold366
    @skpjoecoursegold3666 жыл бұрын

    Golden.

  • @lynnblack6493
    @lynnblack64932 жыл бұрын

    So much to learn...

  • @pistachiobaklava1216
    @pistachiobaklava12164 жыл бұрын

    I just subscribed! You have truly great content... unlike the v&a which only virtue signals!

  • @romulusbuta9318
    @romulusbuta93186 жыл бұрын

    I love gold :) !

  • @Kami-ny5jo

    @Kami-ny5jo

    3 жыл бұрын

    don't we all

  • @gabriellechilton5902
    @gabriellechilton5902 Жыл бұрын

    Please list the books you were representing.

  • @mozdickson
    @mozdickson2 жыл бұрын

    What a team! Bravo! I hesitate to critique such a fine and necessary piece of work, but might I point out that the extravagant (there is no better word in English for it!) use of gold in the Older Testament tabernacle and temple symbolised firstly, the value the worshiper placed on the God they were worshipping. The process by which gold is purified and formed makes it a fitting image for the sanctifying work that occurs in the life of a believer. Refiners carefully melt gold to bring out any impurities, a process that requires high heat and constant tending. The image of God refining believers is first used in the book of Job, where Job declared, “When He (Yahweh) tests me, I’ll come out as pure as gold” (23:10; see also Jer 9:7). Yes, there is definitely a sense that the use of gold denotes purity - as is suggested - but I think more significantly for these early artists it denoted the inestimable value placed on the person of Christ (God incarnate, and Holy), and all that flows from that. Thank you. (and I acknowledge the sources I've drawn from but do not quote, as that may indicate and endorsement of my comment, which would be unfair.)

  • @hanestetico
    @hanestetico6 жыл бұрын

    Almost 90% Italian Art. Cennino Cennini's libro dell'arte included (the woman even shows the edition in Italian volgare) Great video anyway

  • @cybercel164
    @cybercel1643 жыл бұрын

    Gold symbolises ascension.

  • @cybercel164

    @cybercel164

    3 жыл бұрын

    ...that explains why figures point upward toward heaven.

  • @michaelboylan5308
    @michaelboylan53085 жыл бұрын

    What was the purpose or intended effect of a particular painterly technique? It is no use just saying what a particular technique IS, It is like saying of a Shakespeare play,,,theres a simile,,theres a metaphor etc, So the Wilton Diptych was painted around 1395, So English painting begins with a sublime masterpiece and then hurtles into the abyss for the next 624 years, How do you explain that? Reformation? Philistinism? Lust for gold?

  • @SergioCMata
    @SergioCMata4 жыл бұрын

    I love gold?

  • @SergioCMata

    @SergioCMata

    4 жыл бұрын

    I love gold!

  • @YollowBoys
    @YollowBoys3 жыл бұрын

    WHEN YOU WANT TO LEARN GRAPHIC DESIGN AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE THIS CLASS BRUHHHH

  • @18daisydoll65
    @18daisydoll654 жыл бұрын

    I appreciate these videos, but I want to hear what the contributors are saying, Not silly background musick. It's interesting and engaging enough. Please stop it

  • @ThanhHa-fm2nw
    @ThanhHa-fm2nw3 жыл бұрын

    May someone spell the name of the manuscript artist please?

  • @henriquecarrusca5819

    @henriquecarrusca5819

    3 жыл бұрын

    Cennino Cennini

  • @annadawson5179

    @annadawson5179

    3 жыл бұрын

    The Craftsman's Handbook is the name of the book; it's available and really useful.

  • @henriquecarrusca5819

    @henriquecarrusca5819

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@annadawson5179 yess! It is such a great source, specially in his description of the trajectory of an artist in the 15th century

  • @francoisecollaud7101
    @francoisecollaud7101 Жыл бұрын

    Intéressant, mais on ne voit pas assez longtemps les œuvres et trop longtemps les commentatrices !

  • @goundreykruse
    @goundreykruse2 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting video, thank you. Please could you consider not using the background music in your next videos though? It’s awfully distracting and headache inducing.

  • @music-sc7eg
    @music-sc7eg5 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting but why the repetitive music? Not necessary.

  • @metalingus9997
    @metalingus99976 жыл бұрын

    Nicccce. Though I will say the ladie's teeth are yellow af

  • @boredgrass
    @boredgrass Жыл бұрын

    Why annoy viewers with this distracting music? You have art- and conservators, i.e. you have content! Why turn that into a jingle?