During this long Ascension weekend, paper is celebrated in all its forms in Beaulieu-lès-Loches. The Outrevoir association is organizing the 3e edition of Printemps du papier which welcomes fifty artists and craftsmen in five different places but quite close to each other, in the heart of the town, around the Saint-Laurent church, in particular.
Originally from Türkiye
In the church, Bénédicte de Chivré presents the marbled paper technique. This resident of Chemillé-sur-Indrois practices this art, ” for pleasure “for three years.
“Developed in Türkiye, the marbled paper technique arrived in Europe during the Renaissance. Travelers brought back these papers which were collected as precious objects. The marbling workshops that were created subsequently provided the binders. At 18e century, the most common patterns, such as worsted, decorated book covers and endpapers. The art of marbled paper lasted until the 19e century with new motifs. When printing took over the patterns of marbling, the mechanical side of reproduction took away all the charm of this art.explains Bénédicte de Chivré.
It was during a trip to Rome that she discovered this style of paper. “It was while looking for frames that I came across marbled paper. I went to train, twice for three days, in Munster, in Alsace”continues this enthusiast.
Once the pigments are placed in the vat, Bénédicte de Chivré uses a comb to form the patterns.
© (Photo NR, Bruno Bouchet)
With color pigments, water and ox gall that she mixes with a horsehair brush, she sprinkles each selected pigment over a vat filled with water and cellulose. Then with a comb, she forms the patterns before affixing the sheet of paper to them. Once it has dried, that’s it.
Saturday May 11 and Sunday May 12, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., in Beaulieu-lès-Loches: Salle des Templiers, Saint-Laurent church, Courants d’arts (near the tennis court), Salle Laumonier, boutique (rue Bourgeoise) and party room. Free exhibitions.
