Making the Ghirlandaio Mirror

This post shows the development of a recently completed unique mirror - Ghirlandaio (Portrait of a Girl). The starting point was a postcard of a mirror image of the painting in the National Gallery, London - then colour samples were placed next to the image to get a feel for the overall palette. 

Next, following some inital sketches, the mirror frame was constructed in beech wood incorporating three of the postcards and painted cardboard panels to represent the final glazed versions. After rejecting a horizontal reading, the images were arranged vertically. This layout is a reference to the Medici Princess boxes by Joseph Cornell, though they also have a contemporary  photo booth quality which also reminded me of Warhol. 

Various colourways were tried and rejected for the facing on the frame and the glass panels. Finally the painted mirror frame become a sub-frame with the addition of a stained oak outer frame. This, with the corner details provided the finishing touch.

This mirror is now available to purchase though IAP Fine Art, based in London and Monmouth. Our own webpage is here.

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