I often paint mouldings and frames into the art I do on canvas, like the detail above. As I was working on this canvas (which is as yet unfinished), I thought it would be fun to incorporate such a moulding as an element of the Pompeii Room. Maybe a little simpler, though.
The moulding I settled on was borrowed from this exceptional stone entrance that I photographed in New York City.
As you can see from this early diagram (used in Pompeii No. 13), it was almost from the beginning my intention to have a chair rail and moulding separating the green bar from the red wainscoting. So let's get started.
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Here's how the chair rail and moulding look today. The green takes on a very different quality now that it's framed by the yellow and not immediately juxtaposed to that deep red. Below are other images of the room, and its new moulding.
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Looking better by the day. Your trompe l'oeil dado rail is a happy addition to the simplified acanthus (?) moulding. You will be much in demand when I build my next palace.
ReplyDeleteDear Columnist,
DeleteI work at a slightly slower pace than Michelangelo or Carracci, but I would not eat you out of house and home. So let's talk when you build the palace.
such amazing detail -and that was a great find in NYC. Such an interesting process! I hope you're planning a huge party for when it's done!
ReplyDeleteDear Stefan,
DeleteIt is such a treat to walk through NYC and take note of the architectural details on so many buildings (as you have done in Paris). I take photographs with the thought that the details might be useful for future projects.
My friend Sandy would love nothing more than to have a huge toga bash to celebrate the room when it's finished. The room is small though, and a huge party would actually obscure it all! I should have started in a loft instead!
Hello Mark, This new element does wonders in giving architectural support to the upper-level paintings, which were starting to appear as simply floating on the wall. The bottom levels were moreover beginning to look a little plain in contrast with all the artistic pyrotechnics blossoming above. The darker red improved things considerably, and now this molding adds real elegance and substance, just as it did for that building in New York (but without having to sweep up all that marble dust).
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello, Jim,
DeleteIt was always my intention to dress up the plainess of the bottom of the mural, but I also wanted to reveal each stage of the mural in a logical way, working across the room and downward. So the fact that the moulding and rail has been added is a sign that the Pompeii Room is nearing completion. Of course I still have to attend to the window treatment, kitchen door treatment (a curtain perhaps), and assorted furnishings . . .
Dear Mark, the acanthus style detail is gorgeous. You make this room more and more delightful! I wish I were in your area as I would surely invite myself over for a visit.
ReplyDeleteThank you always for your thoughtful comments on my blog.
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Dear Karena,
DeleteIf you were in this area, you would always be welcome. I think a lunch and a tour of the city would be in order!
Dear Mark - when I first saw your painted detail on my side bar I thought, ah yes! we have a bit of egg-and-dart moulding going on here, but not so. You have chosen wisely, the acanthus moulding is perfect - a lighter more refined touch for your Pompeian room. I am also appreciating the three dimensional look that you have incorporated into the chair rail and the moulding by using a dark green line and a dark brown line respectively.
ReplyDeleteDear Rosemary,
DeleteI do have dart and egg in my blood, but as you noted, I went for a design that is probably older. The dark green and the brown are convincing shadows from across the room, paricularly for the chair rail. And the illusion of roundness achieved by a layering of straight lines is indeed very much a Pompeian tompe l'oeil technique.
Hi Mark, I've been following along on your Pompeiian progress week after week. As a molding nut, I have to chime in with my delight at this addition. As Jim so perfectly describes, it adds such elegance and substance. This labor of love is just a joy to watch unfold. Barbara
ReplyDeleteHi, Barbara,
DeleteThank you for a lovely comment! I too love moulding — the more elaborate, the better. I generally agree with Mies van der Rohe that "less is more," but not when it comes to moulding!
I am in agreement with the other commentators: the acanthus moulding is the perfect accompaniment to this Pompeiian masterpiece. I was going to say come to Victoria and decorate the interior of our own palace when it is build but I see that Columnist got in first.
ReplyDeleteI am always on the look out for decorating inspirations when travelling and am never without my camera.
Bye for now,
Kirk
Hello, Kirk,
DeleteYou know, Australia isn't too far from the Columnist's Thai residence, so perhaps I could make a Pacific tour and paint both palaces. But remuneration would have to include some of your excellent baking!
When I visit places, I'm usually photographing details, with an eye for future projects, so we're alike in that regard.
I like that idea. A World Tour no less! Baking would be, as they say, on tap!
DeleteI love acanthus and I think it was the best choice for the space. This is just a treasure chest!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Theresa!
DeleteHello Mark,
ReplyDeleteA trompe l'oeil dado rail is the perfect accompaniment for the rest of the decoration in this room, not only providing visual interest but, also, giving a frame for the various elements and visually separating the upper and lower decorative panels.
It is a great idea and is something that could be used in so many decorating schemes, not necessarily on the grand scale of your own. Architectural detailing in paint seems to be in short supply these days, but perhaps you are leading a revival!?
Dear Jane and Lance,
DeleteI thought it would be fun to have a dado rail in the composition, since there will be chairs in the room, and since they will be against the wall. And I did visualize the rail and moulding as a necessary bridge between the upper and lower parts of the room. While I settled on gold (and am happy with the choice), I had also considered using a pink color, which would have made the transition take on the feel of spumoni!
The molding and chair rail both add such depth! This trompe l'oeil room is looking more handsome each day. I cannot wait to see how you furnish this room. Center table, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Loi! Unfortunately, this is a very small room and its center is directly in front of the kitchen door. A center table would only cause a difficult traffic pattern. A more likely bet would be for something like an antique English (folding) card table.
Delete