Above: The noble hystrix, by Gabriele Reina

The Renaissance Technique of Blue of Limoges, by Gabriele Reina, PhD.

This technique that the artist has renamed "Blue of Limoges" intends to emulate with the "cold" oil on panel technique the effects of the Renaissance "hot" enamel portraits of Limoges, where the intensity of the blue played a fundamental role.  The author also makes use of some precautions derived from portraits painted on majolica (a technique in which he also excels and in which the final painting was then fired at 900 degrees) always with a blue background; for example, by scratching the surface with a very sharp instrument, to bring out the underlying white preparation.  In practice, through oil painting and a particular medium of oils and varnishes, a trompe l'oeil effect is obtained, smooth and shiny as in the ancient enamels of Limoges. This portraiture technique is unique and is the main "sign" in Gabriele Reina's portraiture.

 "I have been trying to achieve the splendor and effect of the ancient Limoges glazes and the blue of Portuguese majolica I studied in that far country..."--GR