IL SALOTTO
The Space
The Frescos
The frescos painted in the Salotto are reproductions of prints done by Giuseppe Zocchi of Florentine vistas and villas, commissioned to him by Andrea Gerini in 1744. These reproductions are part of a project to bring back the antique techniques used during the Renaissance period by fresco painters.
The project started in the early 2022 with Maestro Silvestro Pistolesi, one of the pupils of the famous painter Pietro Annigoni, and three architects: Jose Cornelio da Silva, James Larew and Fernando Gandara. The first frescos were finished by the end of February 2022, and where halted due to the passing of Maestro Pistolesi.
In February of 2024, another pupil of Pietro Annigoni, Maestro Massimo Callossi, was inspired to continue the project, with the same team of architects working like an old Florentine “Bottega”. The Salotto is now nearly completed with additional 4 frescos and will continue in the years ahead.
The Process
- Preparing the walls with “gesso a oro”, necessary to improve smoothness and absorption properties of the wall.
- Designing and framing for the paintings and the decorations.
- Preparing the drawings and transferring them to walls.
- After removing the canvas the dots can be joined where necessary and the painting can start.
- Two types of paint where used:
- Water based acrylic colours -> Used by Maestro Pistolesi.
- egg-yoke and white vinegar based powdered colours -> Used by Maestro Callossi.
