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| Ceiling Detail at Versailles, France, by DG Hudson |
Plaster used for moldings is formed by mixing dry powder with water to form a paste. It can then be worked and shaped with metal tools and sandpaper to a specific shape. Plaster can refer to gypsum plaster (plaster of Paris), lime plaster, or cement plaster.
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| Ceiling Detail Closeup at Versailles, France, by DG Hudson |
A large gypsum deposit in Montmartre in Paris led gypsum plaster to be commonly known as 'plaster of Paris'. Many great murals in Europe, such as the Sistine Chapel ceiling are painted in fresco, or the paint is applied to a thin layer of wet plaster. The pigments then merge with the plaster layer to form a very durable surface.
The Louvre Museum also has extensive mouldings since it too was a palace.
These two images above and below show the intricate detail that can be carved or molded to fit the shape or size required. Plaster can be worked easier than stone or wood, and is lighter. Seeing the detail in the construction of such a grand palace helps us understand why the French treasury was drained in part by this project.
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| Versailles Ceiling Art and Mouldings, by DG Hudson |
Click to see more Ceiling Art at Versailles
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Are you interested in information about historical places? Do you get curious about how things are done? Have you visited Versailles? Any other castles or churches you have visited with interesting architecture and ceilings?
Please leave a comment to let me know you were here, and thanks for dropping by! I'll respond.
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References
Basic Plaster Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaster
A post on Ceiling art at Versailles and the Louvre Museum
http://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2012/04/v-versailles-palace-to-z-challenge.html
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