Last Thursday morning, Tom Jester and I had the opportunity to observe the gilding work on the top two rings of the Great Hall dome at the National Academy of Science Building. The Gilder’s Studio is tasked with cleaning and repairing the Guastavino tile dome, which is decorated with tempera paints and gold leaf based on the design of artist Hildreth Meiere.
The process for gilding hasn’t changed in centuries. Gold leaf arrives from the manufacturer on a roll of paper. This roll is inserted into a tool that looks like a paint roller, with soft roller underneath the roll of gold leaf. Prior to the gilding, the surface was prepared in a two step process. First shellac was applied over the existing gilding to provide a protective layer and as a surface to which the sizing (glue) will adhere. Step two is the application of the sizing. It is allowed to dry to a light tack and then the gold leaf is applied. In the photos above, Michael Kramer of the Gilder’s Studio is pushing on the tool and the soft roller gently pushes the gold leaf onto the surface. The gold leaf will only stick to the areas where sizing was applied. Once the leaf has been applied to all the areas that have been sized, a soft brush is used to remove the extra leaf.
After the two white rings and interior of the pendulum hold (oculus) are repainted to their original color, the Great Hall dome will be restored to its original splendor.
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