dionysios fourna painter's manual the restoration of the holy images

The Dionysios Fourna Painter's Manual, also known as "The Restoration of the Holy Images," is a comprehensive guide to Byzantine and post-Byzantine icon painting techniques. This historic manual provides detailed instructions on materials, pigments, preparation methods, and theological principles for creating and restoring sacred religious icons according to Orthodox Christian traditions.

1. Historical Context 2. Materials and Tools 3. Icon Preparation 4. Pigment Preparation 5. Painting Techniques 6. Gilding Methods 7. Theological Principles 8. Restoration Guidelines 9. Symbolism and Colors 10. Preservation Methods 11. Common Issues and Solutions

Historical Context

The manual dates back to the early 18th century and represents the culmination of Byzantine iconographic traditions passed down through generations of Orthodox Christian artists.

Period	Significance
Byzantine Era	Foundation of iconographic canons and techniques
Post-Byzantine	Preservation and development of traditional methods
18th Century	Compilation by Dionysios Fourna of Agrapha
Modern Era	Continued use in Orthodox iconography schools

Materials and Tools

Essential materials for traditional icon painting according to Fourna's manual.

Wood panels: Linden, cypress, or poplar wood prepared with gesso
Natural pigments: Earth pigments, mineral colors, organic dyes
Binding media: Egg tempera, natural resins
Brushes: Sable hair brushes of various sizes
Gold leaf: 22-24 karat gold for gilding

IMPORTANT! Use only traditional, natural materials to maintain authenticity and longevity.

Icon Preparation

Proper preparation of the icon surface is crucial for durability and quality.

Select and prepare wood panel: Seasoned wood, properly sized
Apply cloth layer: Linen or cotton cloth with rabbit skin glue
Gesso application: Multiple layers of chalk or gypsum gesso
Sanding: Smooth surface preparation between layers
Drawing: Transfer of icon drawing using pouncing or tracing

NOTE! Each layer must dry completely before applying the next.

Pigment Preparation

Earth Pigments: Ochres, umbers, siennas - grind with egg yolk
Mineral Pigments: Lapis lazuli, malachite, cinnabar - careful grinding
Organic Colors: Madder, indigo, saffron - extract and prepare
Egg Tempera: Fresh egg yolk mixed with pigments
Storage: Keep pigments in sealed containers away from light

Painting Techniques

Traditional Byzantine painting methods described in the manual.

Layering: Dark to light application, building up colors gradually. Highlights: Final light accents in pure white or light colors. Drapery: Systematic rendering of folds and shadows. Faces: Specific order: green underpainting, flesh tones, highlights.

Gilding Methods

Gold application techniques for halos and backgrounds.

Prepare surface: Apply red clay bole evenly
Burnish: Polish bole surface to smooth finish
Apply gold: Use gilder's tip and breath moisture
Burnish gold: Agate stone burnishing for shine
Tooling: Incise patterns into gold surface

Tip: Work in low humidity conditions for best results.

Theological Principles

Icon painting as theological expression and spiritual practice.

Prayer and fasting during work
Following established iconographic prototypes
Understanding symbolic meaning of colors and gestures
Writing rather than painting icons
Depicting spiritual reality rather than physical likeness

WARNING! Innovation and personal expression are limited by tradition.

Restoration Guidelines

Principles for restoring aged or damaged icons while preserving original work.

Symbolism and Colors

Each color and element carries specific theological meaning.

CAUTION! Maintain traditional color symbolism for proper theological expression.

Preservation Methods

Protecting completed icons from environmental damage.

Apply protective varnish: Natural resins like sandarac or mastic. Proper storage: Stable temperature and humidity. Display considerations: Avoid direct sunlight and moisture.

Common Issues and Solutions

Problem	Cause	Solution
Cracking paint	Improper gesso or rapid drying	Ensure proper layer drying; use traditional materials
Flaking gold	Poor bole preparation	Reapply bole with proper burnishing
Discoloration	Modern pigments or poor varnish	Use traditional pigments; replace varnish
Wood warping	Humidity changes	Use properly seasoned wood; control environment
Mold growth	High humidity	Clean with gentle methods; improve storage conditions

Professional Help: Consult experienced icon restorers for significant damage.

Resources: Orthodox monasteries and iconography schools for traditional training.