Gold Leaf Paintings

Gold has been the ultimate fancy and representation flamboyance and luxury. There has been many art forms which have lent themselves to use of gold in form of gold leaves. 

Gold is hammered into thin sheets by goldbeating and gilded onto the areas where required. usually 22karats gold is used for the purpose though artificial gold leaves are also available.

Gold leaf work or gilding as it is called has been used in ancient civilizations as well dating back to Bronze Age. It has been extensively used in Early Christian art, Buddhist art forms, traditional Tanjore Painting art for of southern India.

It is also has been in use in Architecture in Roman churches, ancient temples of India. And in modern times can be seen in Parliamentary complex of Canada in Ottawa,  Criterion Restaurant in London.

It also adorns food and drinks as garnish or decoration, so is one of the most extensive techniques.

Paintings techniques using Gold leaf can be arduous. Especially when used with Relief work or also in Tanjore paintings. Gold leaf relief work paintings are look very expensive and attractive and are equally laborious.

Whilst, traditional Gold leaf painting techniques like Pichwai and Tanjore are very extensive, difficult, intricate as well very beautiful and they speak of the labour and devotion that has gone into creating each painting.