Modelling of draperies
Artists' Techniques
Francesco di Antonio del Chierico subtly modelled the cherubs’ light blue robes with thin purple outlines which define the folds, supplemented by a brown wash in the shadows. By contrast, his associate applied purple shadows and white highlights over the azurite blue base of the robes in a much more schematic manner.
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Opening page of Charlemagne’s Life
Donato Acciaiuoli’s Vita Caroli Magni opens with a title and an initial C executed in gold leaf. The initial is enveloped in white vine scroll on blue, pink and green background, which also forms the full border, inhabited by cherubs (putti), birds and deer (hotspots 1-3). The border also includes a medallion with plants and the royal arms of France supported by putti. The latter show subtle visual and material differences with the putti painted in the same position on fol. 2r (hotspots 4 and 5), supporting the attribution of the decoration to two different artists.