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Bottega Tifernate: pictography and Italian craftsmanship

13 March 2025

Tempo di lettura: 6 minuti

Bottega Tifernate: pictography and Italian craftsmanship

Thanks to the pictographic technique, applied in the Essential and Retouch finishes, Bottega Tifernate in Città di Castello combines the aesthetic and artisanal excellence of the Renaissance artistic tradition with modern technological innovation.

Contents [hide]

1 History of Bottega Tifernate
2 The Pictography Technique
3 The Essential and Retouch Finishes
4 Bottega Artigiana Tifernate Catalogue

Located in the heart of Umbria, in Città di Castello, Bottega Artigiana Tifernate is a true excellence in its field, a place where art and tradition are carried forward by the mastery of artisans who are not afraid to engage with modernity while always preserving their roots and origins. Founded in 1995 by the three siblings Stefano, Romolo, and Francesca Lazzari, this workshop has developed a revolutionary technique called Pictography, which enables the faithful reproduction of the most famous works of art from the past. The Linea Aurea, which employs the ‘a fresco’ technique with gold leaf application, allowing the colours to blend perfectly with the lime pigment during drying, is the jewel of Bottega Tifernate and represents the culmination of years of research and refinement in this technique. Its uniqueness lies in its ability to capture not only the visual appearance but also the material depth and texture of the original works.

The secret of this Italian excellence lies in its meticulous attention to materials and historical techniques. The workshop in Città di Castello has undertaken a painstaking effort to recover the ancient recipes of Renaissance masters, applying them with scientific precision to modern reproduction technologies. The use of pure lime, the same type employed by Giotto, is just one example of this philological approach to artistic reproduction. Bottega Tifernate does not simply reproduce works of art: it creates temporal bridges that connect the present to the glorious past of Italian art. Each piece that emerges from their workshop is a testament to how artisanal tradition, when combined with technological innovation, can produce results that transcend the boundaries between reproduction and artistic creation. In an era where digitisation seems to dominate every aspect of artistic production, Bottega Tifernate demonstrates that there is still room for an approach that merges technology with artisanal expertise, creating works that are not mere copies but true contemporary interpretations of the world’s artistic heritage.

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Aurea by Bottega Tifernate

High quality artistic works created through the patented pictography technique, created by the master Stefano Lazzari

History of Bottega Tifernate

The history of Bottega Artigiana Tifernate is as fascinating as the works created by its artisans. It is a tale that intertwines art, commerce, and family tradition, with roots dating back to the vibrant Venice of the 18th century, then one of the world’s capitals of trade and art. Here, the Lazzari family managed a thriving textile trade which, beyond being a source of livelihood, allowed them to engage with the rich European artistic landscape of the time. The trade in fine fabrics brought the Lazzari into contact with the most refined expressions of art and craftsmanship, leading to the development of a profound aesthetic sensitivity and a passion for art collecting that would be passed down through generations. This cultural heritage, preserved and nurtured for three centuries, found its highest expression in the founding of Bottega Artigiana Tifernate on 20 August 1995, when Romolo, Stefano, and Francesca Lazzari, heirs to this rich family tradition, decided to embark on an ambitious project. However, the official opening of the Bottega came after years of patient and meticulous experimentation in a small workshop, not unlike the Renaissance ateliers where art and science merged. Here, the three Lazzari siblings developed and perfected what would become Pictography.

The Pictography Technique

Pictography is the result of years of research dedicated to studying ancient painting techniques. This patented method combines the use of original materials with the modern application of technology to recreate works of art that retain the aesthetic qualities of the originals. Pictography is an innovative method for reproducing works of art while maintaining their aesthetic integrity. This technique can replicate any painting with scientific precision, using materials and original recipes from the time the artwork was created. The primary goal is to ensure not only aesthetic fidelity but also durability comparable to the original. The work focuses on the materials used, particularly oxide-based pigments, selected for their ability to withstand adverse environmental conditions without losing chromatic intensity over time, as well as different types of earth pigments prepared in the laboratory or made from precious materials naturally resistant to light. Works created using the Pictography technique on fresh support offer exceptional longevity thanks to the combination of traditionally used materials and modern applied methodologies.

The Pictography technique is mainly executed in three formats: Fresco, with rapid application on fresh lime-based plaster, using slaked lime mixed with sand and oxide-based pigments deposited while still wet, with reliefs made of gypsum and natural glues, gilded with gold leaf; Panel, using seasoned, high-quality wood, with a mix of gypsum and natural glue applied hot, in line with Renaissance painting techniques; Canvas, made from hand-woven linen stretched on antique frames to ensure a tight and stable weave, prepared using the same traditional techniques as for panel painting, with natural materials such as rabbit skin glue or Bologna gypsum, painted with high-purity oil colours similar to those used in Renaissance workshops, and subsequently mounted on a solid wood frame with wedges to prevent loosening due to climate changes.

The Essential and Retouch Finishes

Particularly noteworthy are the Essential and Retouch finishes, two applications of the Pictographic technique. The Essential finish embodies the pure essence of the original artwork, offering a reproduction that preserves the expressive strength of the painting while enhancing the naturalness of the tones and purity of the lines. The Retouch finish, on the other hand, takes an additional step towards perfection, with manual retouching interventions that add depth and character to the work, creating a bridge between mechanical reproduction and artistic interpretation.

Essential

The Essential finish represents the starting point for creating works of art using the Pictographic technique. This level ensures extreme fidelity to the original, maintaining the fundamental details of the painting without additional manual retouching. It is ideal for those seeking a balance between artistic authenticity and affordability. The process to achieve the Essential finish begins with a thorough study of the original artwork to be replicated. Materials are then carefully selected, with particular attention to those traditionally used in the era when the work was created. Using the workshop’s developed technology, the painting is precisely reproduced while preserving its aesthetic characteristics. The final phase involves verifying that every aspect of the artwork meets the qualitative expectations defined by the Essential method.

Flight into Egypt, Giotto, Linea Aurea Bottega Tifernate

Small Cowper Madonna, Raphael, Linea Aurea Bottega Tifernate

Marriage of the Virgin, Perugino, Linea Aurea Bottega Tifernate

Last Supper, Leonardo, Linea Aurea Bottega Tifernate

Creation of Adam, Michelangelo, Linea Aurea Bottega Tifernate

Flight into Egypt, Giotto Bottega Tifernate Linea Aurea essential: this elegant 9x9 cm painting is an exclusive work of art, created and finished by hand by qualified painters with academic training. Buy on Holyart

Retouch

The Retouch method of Bottega Tifernate represents an additional level of refinement compared to the Essential finish, as it combines the aesthetic fidelity guaranteed by the Pictographic technique with detailed manual interventions to further enhance the artwork. These retouches are executed manually with absolute precision using magnifying lenses and give the artwork a personal and emotional touch. Like the Essential finish, Retouch maintains the visual qualities of the original but adds greater depth and realism thanks to manually curated details. The manual intervention allows further customisation of the artwork, according to the client’s preferences or specific artistic requirements. Retouch is suitable both as a special gift and as a sophisticated decorative element for elegant interiors.

Baptism of Christ, Perugino, Linea Aurea Retouch Botega Tifernate

Adoration of the Magi, Giotto, Linea Aurea, Retouch, Bottega Tifernate

Virgin Mary, Carlo Crivelli, Linea Aurea, Retouch, Bottega Tifernate

Annunciation, Beato Angelico Bottega Tifernate Linea Aurea essential: this elegant 9x12 cm painting is an exclusive work of art, created and finished by hand by qualified painters with academic training. Buy on Holyart

Bottega Artigiana Tifernate Catalogue

The “a fresco” technique with gold leaf application deserves special mention. This process is not a mere imitation but a true recreation of the original method, where oxide-based pigments merge with the lime during drying, creating the characteristic luminosity and chromatic depth found only in authentic frescoes. The use of oxide-based pigments also ensures extraordinary durability, allowing artworks to retain their colour vibrancy for generations. The collection known as Linea Aurea, available in our online store, perfectly embodies the artistic spirit of Bottega Tifernate. Its works are created by strictly following the aesthetic canons of Renaissance masters such as Giotto or Raphael, combining visual harmony with historical-artistic coherence. Each piece results from careful selection of traditional materials (such as pure lime free of salts) alongside artisanal mastery in the “fresco” technique on fresco or canvas.