Every major civilisation on Earth has a love story with Gold. The first items covered in gold leaf were found in places like Egypt or South America.
Every craftsman praises the precious material for two things. First, it’s shiny and beautiful. Second, it can be spread very thin and is long-lasting when applied to different surfaces.
Gold beating and gilding come from centuries of tradition. Italians are considered among the best in this field, and a handful of families pass their secrets down through the generations.
Today, gold leaf, whether imitation or pure Gold, is still very popular in many art fields. Artisans often choose gold to give paintings and interior designs a timeless feel.
Gold is also used to provide a second life to old pieces: as a reference check out the restoration work with Manetti leaf, a famous Italian goldbeater who has honed his craft for decades.
Paintings and Modern Art
Modern art is filled with innovative artists challenging the status quo. Applying gold leaf to paintings is more than a novel trick.
It gives the work of art a new edge mixed with timeless glamour. Because gold leaf has become increasingly affordable, many up-and-coming artists are choosing to apply this material.
The work of an artist such as Vaninna Baracco proves to a large audience that it’s possible to mix this noble material with more traditional colours to create a sense of harmony and a touch of glamour that only gold can convey.
Design and Architecture
Art Deco, Pop, and Rococo are still very popular architecture and design styles. They often incorporate gold leaf just to enhance the beauty of different pieces.
From a wooden chair to a painting frame to a statue, it feels like everything looks better with some gold leaf.
Gilding can be subtle, with only a few touches of Gold on a large piece. Sometimes, the artist feels free to apply more gold leaf for mesmerising results.
The Grand Place of Brussels is a brilliant example of a city building covered in gold leaf on the roof and windows. It adds a very nice touch that indicates the city’s prosperity to tourists.
Let’s not forget that gold leaf was often used to impress foreign monarchs and officials. Nowadays, it still looks stunning and suits very different styles.
From Old to New: Restorating Art With Gold Leaf
Because restoring a century-old work of art demands a balance of creativity and knowledge, many artists are keen to give an item a second life by applying gold leaf.
Artists in this field are usually very careful: covering things with gold leaf gives them a new style, which is unsuitable for some ancient items that only need restoration.
A good example of a refurbishment done right is the Tower of London from 2017-2021. The famous landmark is now covered in gold leaf at the top, right around its world-renowned clock.
The sun reflects beautifully on the top of the Tower during sunny days in the most vibrant capital of Europe.
