Gregg Perry in Italy

Gregg Perry has just returned from a two week conservation/restoration apprenticeship in Tuscany Italy. Perry was awarded a grant along with four other participants from Japan, China, Russia and Great Britain to examine the environmental and oxidation effects on architectural gilded surfaces, 16th-18th century gilded frames and the deterioration of the origin of natural pigment bases on building exteriors and interior coatings.

The formation was led by three retired decorative and fine art conservators who worked their entire careers for the state of Italy’s Conservation Department, with laboratories based in Florence and Bologna.

Perry’s initiative included a five day study in conservation and restoration of domed Fresco surfaces in Florence. Work then proceeded studying the gilt ground and surface pigments used for painting. An additional two days were spent in Venice studying the extreme effects of humidity on 16th-18th century Venetian and Roman mirror and painting frames. Conservation and restoration was performed after examining the deterioration of gesso and frame substrates. The formation continued studying earthen pigments on exterior architectural surfaces as well as the interior paint deterioration in Sienna, Bologna and San Gimignano.

Finally, the last two days of the stay concluded with Perry demonstrating his carving of a Florentine frame to the group after touring an 18th century studio with string Venetian instruments.