Gesso

Gesso is the Italian term for plaster or chalk and refers to the traditional primer on canvases.

Gesso the generic term for a substance that is made ​​of rabbit-skin glue and chalk (calcium carbonate ) is there. The term is derived from the Latin gypsum, the Italian word. It is called gesso grosso or Gesso sottile with different offerings, used for both priming of panel paintings, as well as for the plastic design of frames, providing a base for the hand gilding picture frames ( gesso because inorare ) and as a substitute for carved wood. The recipe was mentioned by Cennino Cennini (about 1370-1440 ) in which probably appeared in 1400 book Libro dell'Arte della o trattato peintura the first time and has since remained virtually unchanged. Cennini also described the casting of sculptures by a metal mold. But it is certain that gesso already played a major role in the production of Greek art.

In Egypt, gypsum inventories were reduced in the Faiyum already in frühdynaster time. Gypsum occurs in many places revealed at the desert surface in crystal form. It was used as wall and ceiling coating and painting surface than in houses, temples and tombs. Also mummy coffins received a plastered surface ( gesso ) - sometimes also called Stuck - for painting.

Nowadays Gesso usually referred lightfast and age resistant acrylic chalk reasons that serve to prime textile and solid painting surfaces in the oil, gouache, acrylic and watercolor painting.