New book on icon painting technique

New important book on historical techniques of icon painting was
published recently in Germany by Museen der Stadt Recklinghausen
<URL:http://www.kunsthalle-recklinghausen.de/6im.html>

    Ivan Bentchev
    Griechische und Bulgarische Malerbuecher: Technologie
    Recklinghausen 2004
    ISBN 3-929040-74-3.

The author Ivan Bentchev presents thirteen painter's handbooks,
written by Greek and Bulgarian icon-painters between 16th and 19th
centuries. These are mostly unpublished old manuscripts, translated
in German by the author.

Many notes explain all the intricate points of the texts and the
complicated original terminology, including some currently
identified technical terms from the well-known "Hermeneia" of
Dionysios of Fourna. A comprehensive table of contents and explicit
introduction, glossary and bibliography greatly enhance the value of
the edition. The book is very helpful for conservators, art
historians and scientists as authentic source of many recipes for
canons of proportions, paint and pigments, gesso, wooden support,
varnishes etc.

Stefan Belishki,
Dip. Conservator-restorer, M.A.
Prof. at Conservation Department
National Academy of Arts
Sofia, Bulgaria


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:33
                 Distributed: Sunday, January 23, 2005
                       Message Id: cdl-18-33-007
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