Gold & Ink: A Tuscan Scriptorium
with Julia Bangert

Germany

🗓️ May 22nd to 29th 2027

🎨 Book Illumination

Full Board Accommodation: 1,650€ to 2890€ for 7 nights based on room choice & single or shared occupancy.

Tutor's Fee: 650€

Partners & family may join the trip as non-participating guests without the teaching fee.

Julia's Website

Course Information

Accommodation

Course Description

Escape to the heart of Chianti for a week of creative devotion. Set within the historic walls of Rignana Estate, Julia invites you to step back in time and rediscover the slow, soulful art of the medieval book. Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, this retreat is an invitation to master the tools of the ancient masters in a place where art and nature have been inseparable for centuries.

Over five immersive days, Julia will guide you through the intricate process of creating a handcrafted manuscript page. From the first rhythmic strokes of the pen to the breathtaking moment of applying genuine gold leaf, she shares the technical secrets and historical context of a craft that once flourished in nearby Florence.

Julia will lead you through the grace of historical hands, teaching you to find focus and meditative rhythm in every stroke of the pen. As your manuscript takes shape, you will learn to embellish your work with real gold leaf, capturing the radiant Tuscan light forever upon your page. To complete the illumination, you will use vibrant colors and fine brushes to breathe life into intricate borders and a stunning decorated initial.

Whether you are a beginner captivated by the beauty of old books or an artist looking to refine your gilding techniques, Julia provides a supportive and inspiring environment. This retreat is for anyone who seeks the deep satisfaction of creating something lasting by hand, just 30 minutes away from the cradle of the Renaissance.

About Julia

I've been passionate about art from an early age, especially painting portraits and animals. After school, I pursued book studies, german studies, and art history at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Master’s in 2012, PhD in 2017).

During my studies, I focused on Johannes Gutenberg and the invention of letterpress printing with movable type, particularly the fascinating transition from manuscripts to mass-produced books, where hand-painted details still made each copy unique.

In 2013, I began painting reproductions of Gutenberg Bible pages, combining my love for art with my academic background. Since then, I’ve worked as a freelance artist, specializing in illumination. Over time, I’ve received many questions about my techniques, and now, I’m excited to share my knowledge.