Peter Murphy 24 carat gold leaf icons

Last week in Barga, Peter Murphy a noted British artist who combines making both traditional panels and altarpieces for churches in the UK, with being a high profile member of the Stuckist movement, brought his unique talent to town. He was here for a course entitled 'Learn to Paint like Fra Angelico in Tuscany' Peter tutored a small group of students in the techniques of trecento and early quattrocento Italian panel painting and gilding. Using 'Il Libro Dell' Arte' by Cennino d'Andrea Cennini as a guide, students learned how to gild using 24 carat gold leaf and paint using egg tempera made fresh each day from ground pigments and egg yolks. The students worked from a small selection of traditional images of the Madonna and Child and various angels. The course was organised by Lorraine McAvoy and Joe Pieraccini of Artemisia Holidays and took place in the altana on the top of Casa Cordati  – the altana is famous for its views over the roof tops of Barga Vecchia but also for its decorated walls painted in the ‘60s by Bruno Cordati in the manner characteristic of his late period.

Lorraine even took part in the course herself and emerged delighted with what she had achieved in five days. It is hoped that next year Peter, who has just completed a prestigious commission for Hereford Cathedral in the UK will be able to repeat this years success with a further extended course, which he hopes more Barga residents will become involved in.

Stuckism is an art movement that was founded in 1999 in Britain by Billy Childish and Charles Thomson to promote figurative painting in opposition to conceptual art. The Stuckists formed as an alternative to the Charles Saatchi-patronised Young British Artists (also known as Brit Art). The original group of thirteen artists has since expanded to over 120 groups around the world. Probably The most contentious statement in their manifesto is: "Artists who don't paint aren't artists". The Stuckist website is here

Peter Murphy's website is here