VITREOGRAPHY

Galerie Michelle is please to represent Jean-Pierre Weill, Vitreographer. We will be carrying the Gift Collections and the limited edition collection.m All pieces are frames and ready for hanging and display.

HOW IT’S DONE

The creation of every vitreograph combines and integrates three
processes: serigraphy, print lithography, and hand-painting. But
before that happens, the image must first be designed.

This is done by literally sketching with rapidograph pens as one might on a sheet of paper, except in this case it is drawn directly on
multiple levels of glass. Elements from one glass level might be
transferred to another level and back again, until a coherent
3-dimensional drawing emerges. Acrylic paint applied with a brush, as well as translucent inks indicate where color will be added during the printing process. This process is painstaking and of course is done completely by hand. This initial process typically takes about four weeks to execute, depending on the complexity and size of the emerging image.

Once the original 3-dimensional drawing is complete, the major elements are traced and further refined by hand onto transparent acetates, and then transferred again – this time by photo-chemical means – onto silkscreens. The number of screens is determined by the complexity of colors, opacities, and translucencies that were indicated in the original image. Additional variant screens are made at this time, in order to allow for creative options during the next process when the final image is emerging.

This is the serigraphy stage of the process. Everything is now
transferred once again onto the sheets of glass that will make up the
final vitreograph, one color at a time. Since a twenty four hours drying time is required for each color, this part of the process can take several weeks. Between each screening, the glass sheets dry on special racks made for this purpose.

While all the above is going on with the glass, another process is
taking place with the original back (paper) level. It is lithographed
in a typical standard 4-color reproduction procedure: transparencies
are made, color separations, match-prints, and finally printed on a 40
inch press.

The final step brings the elements together for assembly. Polystyrene panels are cut and painted to act as separators for each of the three or four levels which comprise the piece. The glass sheets are cleaned of all inappropriate paint, fingerprints and grime. At this point the piece is assembled and the hand-painting is done. Before the piece is closed and sealed, it is signed by Jean-Pierre and reviewed for final inspection. And that’s how your vitreograph is made.