Video recommendation: The story of gold in Duccio's Siena

Fondo Oro:

The National Gallery's video, "The story of gold in Duccio's Siena: The Chemistry of Colour" masterfully bridges art history with practical craftsmanship. Focusing on Duccio’s exquisite Virgin and Child triptych (c. 1312–1315), the film provides an inside look at how medieval Sienese masters manually hammered gold coins into exceptionally thick sheets of gold leaf. Expert gilders demonstrate the traditional technique of water gilding, explaining how regional clay bases like Armenian bole were activated to achieve a flawless, burnished mirror finish. For fondo oro enthusiasts, it offers a fascinating technical breakdown of the manual incisions, punches, and matte oil-gilding used to catch flickering candlelight and emulate the divine. Ultimately, this feature serves as a exploration of the collaborative workshop labor and sophisticated chemistry required to bring these golden backgrounds to life.

“What is gold and what makes it so appealing to artists? A chemical element and a metal, using gold in art requires a set of special techniques many of which Duccio would recognise if he were to visit our conservation studios today. Join Specialist Scientist and Organic Analyst Nelly von Aderkas and Frame Conservator Isabella Kocum in our Framing Conservation Studio as they tell us about the sparkly world of gold from coloured clays and gesso to water gilding and punching. Never has static been so helpful!”