A Matter of Choice

— Article written by Fred, 14/04/2020 —

La chapelle des Gicons - la Mère Eglise

It's just a small Roman chapel that sits on a "promontoire" which means a dream location... in the French Alps. From the outside one will note that the tower has no tiles, nor slates, but is built in solid masonry, in contrast, the radiating chapels which have thatched roofing. The strongest next to the most care demanding roofs united in one building ...

Inside the chapel there are two Alters one specifically dedicated to Marie.

La Mère Eglise

Principal Alter

Principal Alter

Side Alter: Marie

Side Alter Marie
The dominant colour is red which is unusual

Meanwhile the Alters have been dismantled, Stored and have been restored.

Restored Principal Alter
Restored Alter of Marie

Samples for the colouring and the metallic backgrounds had to be made for the Architects of Historic Monuments to choose from.
At this stage the samples focus on the metallic ground, 6 samples were produced in 3 different metallic grounds. From each of these metallic grounds a sample was painted with a red flower and one with bleu flower when the metallic ground is chosen it's easy to adapt the colours afterwards. The painting is in the early 18 century tradition.

Classic Gilding

Classic Gilding 1 Classic Gilding 2

Flat Silver-gilding

Flat Silver-gilding 1 Flat Silver-gilding 2

Flat Silver-gilding with a yellowish varnish

Yellowish varnish 1
Yellowish varnish 2

This is where we are presently and awaiting the dicision of "les Monuments de France and la Drac" and who else ? Anyone's Guess

As Always,
Fred