Pressed brocade is a late Gothic decoration technique that imitates woven silk brocade fabrics. Brocade fabrics, enriched with gold and/or silver threads, were imitated using a reproduction technique. You can find ‘pressed brocade’ as relief work on polychromed statues, panels and in historic interiors.

In this masterclass we make a ‘pressed brocade’ based on a 15th century example.By carrying out this historical decoration technique step by step, you will learn all the ins and outs of the production process.

The three-dimensional shape of a textile fabric is copied in an engraved mold using tin foil. This print is then gilded and painted with pigments. The final fabric expression is determined by the texture of the opaque or transparent paint layer in a blue, red or green color scheme. The hatching in the brocade sheet imitates the golden threads of a silk brocade fabric.

During the masterclass we go through the entire process of producing a sheet of ‘pressed brocade’ that the participant takes home. Participants will receive the necessary materials and can use all tools.

This masterclass is offered in collaboration with the Academy of Visual and Audiovisual Arts Anderlecht.

The ABKA is a laboratory where people learn to discover their creativity, develop their talents and stimulate their artistic skills to further develop themselves.

The ‘Visual Arts’ department consists of 8 studios: Sculpture and Spatial Art, Photo Art, Graphic Art, Graphic Design and Illustration, Ceramics, Audio Art, Video Art, Digital Fabrication, Painting and Drawing.

Furthermore, in the ‘Art Crafts’ department we have seven studios: Stained Glass, Wooden Furniture, Polychromy, Painting, Ironwork, Stone Sculpture and Textiles.

Technical craft knowledge is the key and the basis of the training. This allows for something new to be created or preserved. The choice is yours…

In the Kunstambacht Polychromie studio of the Academy of Visual & Audiovisual Arts Anderlecht (ABKA) you can learn historical painting and decoration techniques. You can learn gilding and silver plating with leaf metals or techniques such as pastiglia, pressed brocade, sgraffito, punches, gemstone decorations, etc. You can learn to imitate, recognize, describe and reproduce these decorations and/or material expressions. At the academy you can deepen your knowledge of protecting heritage or opt for a contemporary learning path. You can experiment with materials and techniques and look for your own style. All processes are recorded in a personal portfolio.

Sandy van Wissen (1968) has worked in the cultural heritage sector in Belgium in various ways. She works hands-on in conserving, researching and restoring polychromed sculpture at a federal non-profit institution in Brussels. She also works part-time as a teacher of Craft Polychromy, teaching both historical and modern decoration techniques, and is also a Pedagogical Coordinator.The course is offered as Part-time Art Education in Anderlecht.