Gesso: Difference between revisions
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
1) A hard, white ground layer primarily used for tempera painting and water gilding. Originally, gesso, the Italian word for [[gypsum]], meant a ground layer prepared from gypsum and [[animal glue]] by Italian painters for wooden panels (Gettens and Stout 1966). Gesso grounds were used since medieval times and were often applied in multiple layers with the initial gesso layer containing coarse gypsum particles ([[gesso grosso]]) and the final layer containing fine gypsum particles ([[gesso sottile]]). The dried surface was sanded, then polished to an ivory-like finish. Because it was hard and inflexible, gesso was usually applied to a rigid support, such as a panel, picture frame, or sculpture. From Renaissance times, a hard gesso prepared from calcium carbonate ([[chalk]]) in glue was used in northern Europe for oil and casein paintings. | 1) A hard, white ground layer primarily used for tempera painting and water gilding. Originally, gesso, the Italian word for [[gypsum]], meant a ground layer prepared from gypsum and [[animal glue]] by Italian painters for wooden panels (Gettens and Stout 1966). Gesso grounds were used since medieval times and were often applied in multiple layers with the initial gesso layer containing coarse gypsum particles ([[gesso grosso]]) and the final layer containing fine gypsum particles ([[gesso sottile]]). The dried surface was sanded, then polished to an ivory-like finish. Because it was hard and inflexible, gesso was usually applied to a rigid support, such as a panel, picture frame, or sculpture. From Renaissance times, a hard gesso prepared from calcium carbonate ([[chalk]]) in glue was used in northern Europe for oil and casein paintings. | ||
2) Since the late 20th century, some American manufacturers have also used the term 'gesso' to refer to their commercial canvas primer formulations made with synthetic binders and with one or more white pigments such as chalk, [[zinc oxide]], and [[titanium dioxide]] (about 10% for opacity). These contemporary ground materials do not correspond to true gesso and cannot be used as a substitute. | 2) Since the late 20th century, some American manufacturers have also used the term 'gesso' to refer to their commercial canvas primer formulations made with synthetic binders and with one or more white pigments such as chalk, [[zinc oxide]], and [[titanium dioxide]] (about 10% for opacity). These contemporary ground materials do not correspond to true gesso and cannot be used as a substitute. | ||
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== Synonyms and Related Terms == | == Synonyms and Related Terms == | ||
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gesso (Port.); Examples include: gesso grosso; gesso sottile | gesso (Port.); Examples include: gesso grosso; gesso sottile | ||
== | == Additional Information == | ||
R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966. | |||
== Sources Checked for Data in Record == | |||
* ''The Dictionary of Art'', Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996 Comment: "Gesso" Jonathan Stephenson | * ''The Dictionary of Art'', Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996 Comment: "Gesso" Jonathan Stephenson | ||
* R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966 | * R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, ''Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia'', Dover Publications, New York, 1966 | ||
* Ralph Mayer, ''A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques'', Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing) | * Ralph Mayer, ''A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques'', Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing) | ||
* Reed Kay, ''The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials'', Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983 | * Reed Kay, ''The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials'', Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983 | ||
* George Savage, ''Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook'', Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954 | * George Savage, ''Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook'', Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954 | ||
Latest revision as of 06:36, 4 May 2026
Description
1) A hard, white ground layer primarily used for tempera painting and water gilding. Originally, gesso, the Italian word for gypsum, meant a ground layer prepared from gypsum and animal glue by Italian painters for wooden panels (Gettens and Stout 1966). Gesso grounds were used since medieval times and were often applied in multiple layers with the initial gesso layer containing coarse gypsum particles (gesso grosso) and the final layer containing fine gypsum particles (gesso sottile). The dried surface was sanded, then polished to an ivory-like finish. Because it was hard and inflexible, gesso was usually applied to a rigid support, such as a panel, picture frame, or sculpture. From Renaissance times, a hard gesso prepared from calcium carbonate (chalk) in glue was used in northern Europe for oil and casein paintings.
2) Since the late 20th century, some American manufacturers have also used the term 'gesso' to refer to their commercial canvas primer formulations made with synthetic binders and with one or more white pigments such as chalk, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide (about 10% for opacity). These contemporary ground materials do not correspond to true gesso and cannot be used as a substitute.
Synonyms and Related Terms
gesso (Port.); Examples include: gesso grosso; gesso sottile
Additional Information
R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966.
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- The Dictionary of Art, Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996 Comment: "Gesso" Jonathan Stephenson
- R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966
- Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
- Reed Kay, The Painter's Guide To Studio Methods and Materials, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983
- George Savage, Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook, Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954