Method for the preparation of reproductions of frescoes or the like and reproductions of fragments of frescoes obtained by this method

Abstract: A method for the preparation of reproductions of fragments of frescoes comprises the production of a photographic reproduction (12) of a fresco, the positioning of this reproduction (12) with jagged edges on a plane frame (10), the casting of a plaster, sand and water mixture on this frame (10) so as to obtain a block (15) bearing the photographic reproduction (12) on one side (15). The splintering of the edges of this block (15) and possible colouring of the visible portions of the block (15) not covered by the photographic reproduction (12) make it possible to obtain a finished product having the appearance of a fragment of a fresco.

Description: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of reproductions of frescoes and the like. The method of the invention is characterized in that it comprises the operations of preparing a photographic reproduction of a fresco on paper, preparing a plane frame provided with a raised edge in the manner of a moulding and having a support structure for a glass sheet, surrounded by this raised edge, positioning the photographic reproduction face down on this glass sheet of the frame, cutting the edges of the photographic reproduction, applying a glue to the reverse of the photographic reproduction, preparing a mixture which can be cast and hardened and which comprises at least plaster powder, sand and water, casting this mixture on the frame, separating the block formed in this way from the frame after a period designed to ensure sufficient hardening, the block having the jagged photographic reproduction on one surface, and splintering the edges of the block so as to obtain the appearance of a fragment of a fresco. The photographic reproduction is preferably moistened so as to facilitate its positioning on the plane frame and the cutting of its edges and a glue is preferably applied to the reverse of the photographic reproduction prior to the casting of the mixture. By means of its above characteristic features, this simple and inexpensive method makes it possible to obtain fragments of frescoes which have a particularly attractive appearance and are perfect reproductions of the original. Further advantages and features of the method of the invention are set out in the following detailed description, given purely by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus used in one stage of the method; Fig. 2 is a cross-section along the line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-section similar to Fig. 2 during a further stage of the method; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the semi-finished product; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the finished product. In the drawings a plane frame is designated overall by 10 and has a raised moulding 10a and a base wall 10b. A glass sheet 11 whose dimensions correspond to those of the base wall 10b is disposed on this base wall. A photographic reproduction 12 (the thickness of the photographic reproduction is not to scale in the drawings for reasons of clarity) of a fresco or a portion of a fresco is disposed face down on a surface 11a of the glass sheet 11 opposite to the base wall 10b of the frame 10. The photographic reproduction 12 is advantageously produced from a slide using the well-known technique of four-colour offset printing. The weight of the paper is advantageously between 70 and 120 g, preferably between 80 and 100 g. The photographic reproduction 12 is moistened with water before being positioned on the glass sheet 11 and its edges 12a are manually cut after it has been positioned. To ensure the correct positioning of the photographic reproduction 12 it is preferable to pass a rubber roller over the reverse of the reproduction shown in the drawings by 13 so as to eliminate any air bubbles between the reproduction 12 and the surface 11a of the glass sheet 11. The subsequent stage of the method is to spread a glue 14 on the reverse 13 of the photographic reproduction 12. The glue 14, preferably of vinyl type, may be applied to the reverse 13 of the photographic reproduction 12 using a brush. A mixture consisting of plaster, sand and water is then prepared. The ratios between the dry mixture components may vary fairly widely, but optimum results can be obtained using a mixture comprising 50% by weight of plaster and 50% by weight of sand. In order to keep the weight of the finished product down, it is possible to add sawdust or inert products with a low density to the mixture. The mixture is then cast on the sheet 11 and on the photographic reproduction 12 (Fig. 3) so as to obtain a block 15 having a rear surface 15a and a front surface 15b which are completely flush with the visible surface (shown by 16) of the photographic reproduction 12. After sufficient time to allow the mixture to harden and so that the frame 10 can be removed (which time may vary roughly between 10 and 15 minutes) the block 15 is removed from the frame and its hardening/drying is completed for a period varying between 1 and 2 days. This operation can be accelerated by using hot air drying chambers. At the end of the hardening process, the edges 15c of the block 15 are splintered to obtain the final shape of the product. Since the mixture is normally white in colour, It may be advantageous to colour the surface 15b of the block not covered by the photographic reproduction 12 and its edges 15c with an appropriate colouring agent. This colouring is advantageously provided in a non-uniform manner using a swab impregnated with a brown dyestuff which is passed manually over the surface 15b of the block 15. This simulates the colour of the aged plaster which surrounds the fresco. In the case of the splintered edges 15c, it is advantageous, to prevent subsequent cracking of the block 15, to brush a mixture of colouring agent and glue onto these edges. The present invention relates also to a reproduction of a fragment of a fresco obtained in accordance with the method as set forth hereinbefore. The reproduction of a fragment of a fresco comprises a photographic reproduction 12 of a fresco on paper, the edges 12a of which have been cutted and which is glued on one surface 15b of a block 15 made of a mixture comprising at least plaster powder, sand and water and casted and hardened on a plane frame 10 supporting, on a glass sheet 11, the jagged photographic reproduction 12 positioned face down, said plane frame 10 being provided with a raised edge 10a in the manner of a moulding, which surrounds the glass sheet 11. The edges 15c of the block 15 are splintered so as to show the appearance of a fragment of a fresco. The details of the production and the embodiments of the invention can obviously, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, be widely varied with respect to what has been described and illustrated in the drawings, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims: A method for the production of reproductions of frescoes or the like, characterized in that it comprises the following operations: preparing a photographic reproduction (12) of a fresco on paper, preparing a plane frame (10) provided with a raised edge (10a) in the manner of a moulding and having a support structure (10b) for a glass sheet (11), surrounded by this raised edge (10a), positioning the photographic reproduction (12) face down on this glass sheet (11) of the frame (10b, 10), cutting the edges (12a) of the photographic reproduction (12), applying a glue (14) to the reverse (13) of the photographic reproduction (12), preparing a mixture (15) which can be cast and hardened and which comprises at least plaster powder, sand and water, casting this mixture on the frame (11, 10b, 10), separating the block (15) formed in this way from the frame (10) after a period designed to ensure sufficient hardening, the block (15) having the jagged photographic reproduction (12) on one surface (15b), splintering the edges (15c) of the block (15) so as to obtain the appearance of a fragment of a fresco. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the photographic reproduction (12) is moistened to facilitate both its positioning on the plane frame (11) and the cutting of its edges (12a). A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an appropriate colouring agent intended to simulate the colour of aged plaster is applied in a non-uniform manner to the surface (15b) of the block (15) between the photographic reproduction (12) and the splintered edges (15c). Reproduction of a fragment of a fresco obtained in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a photographic reproduction (12) of a fresco on paper, the edges (12a) of which have been cutted and which is glued on one surface (15b) of a block (15) made of a mixture comprising at least plaster powder, sand and water and casted and hardened on a plane frame (10) supporting, on a glass sheet (11), the jagged photographic reproduction (12) positioned face down, said plane frame (10) being provided with a raised edge (10a) in the manner of a moulding, which surrounds the glass sheet (11), and in that the edges (15c) of the block (15) are splintered so as to show the appearance of a fragment of a fresco.

Inventors: RONCO DARIO, RONCO, DARIO
Applicants: RONCO SILVIA & C STUDIO R SNC, STUDIO ERRE DI SILVIA RONCO & C. S.N.C.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B44F11
IPC codes: B44F11, B44C3