Il mestiere dell’indoratore a Genova (1590-1690): carte d’archivio e tecnica esecutiva a confronto

This research investigates the profession of gilders in Genoa during the 17th century, a period marked by the notable dispute involving Giovanni Battista Paggi (1590–1690). This conflict catalyzed the formal recognition of gilders as an independent professional category, distinct from painters, and permanently excluded from the corporate system deemed degrading. Reconstructing the profession, which lacked stable associations and was scarcely documented—both in terms of notable figures and surviving works—required a dual methodological approach. The first approach examined the relationship between gilders and Genoese institutions, such as the Padri del Comune and the Censori, as well as their interactions with related trades, such as the battiloro (goldbeaters). The second approach involved developing an innovative method to analyze gilding present on artifacts, enabling direct insights into the craftsmanship. Extensive archival research in the Historical Archive of the Municipality of Genoa, particularly within the records of the Padri del Comune and the Censori, formed the foundation of the first three chapters. These investigations included the "acts" (1572–1622) and thematic files on the "arts" (1622–1711). The analysis of key document types—such as consular elections, petitions, and revisions of guild statutes—provided a systematic understanding of artisans' activities and various aspects of their daily lives. A pivotal discovery in this research was the Censorum Liber Primus Legus, which contained the prototype of gold leaf mandated for production and trade within the Genoese domain from 1520 onwards. This document, signed by both gilders and painters, significantly advanced the study of production standards. By employing non-invasive X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis, the characteristics of this prototype were determined with unprecedented precision, offering insights into the rules governing gilding production in early 16th-century Genoa. To associate as many artifacts as possible with the prototype, an innovative methodology—detailed in chapter four—was validated. This approach utilizes XRF exclusively to determine the thickness and carat of gilding without requiring physical samples, providing a non-destructive and reliable means of analysis.