Friday June 21st

Today we had the pleasure of working with Roberto Cassio, a Roman mosaic master who reproduces and restores classic, religious, and modern subjects and portraits using traditional Roman materials and techniques. Introducing us to the new mosaic material he uses, comprised of glass with metals and minerals, he walked us through his method of creating tesserae (out of small glass rods) and melting and molding them with a blowtorch. After sufficiently stretching the melted tesserae to the desired thickness, we practiced breaking the tesserae and learned how to place them on the mosaic, eager to try and match Roberto’s perfect technique.

After, Roberto helped us with the Medusa mosaic. Bringing out plans we drew at the site, including sketches of where each excavated rock was found, we all attempted to put as many pieces together as we could, taking measurements and predicting the geometric pattern that the mosaic had. After putting several pieces together, the Medusa was transferred up to the conservation labs where we then flipped it over and applied talcum power (so the clay doesnot permanently stick) and a thick layer of clay to hold each tessera into place. Covering the layer with newspaper, we then flipped the Medusa back over. Then, using hot water (the wheat glue used to attach the fabric to the tesserae is water soluble) and sponges, we carefully lifted the velatura layer. Unveiling brilliantly colored mosaics, we used scalpels to scrape away excess clay, fully opening areas of loss. Using talcum powder again, we used extra loose tesserae found on the site to fill in losses. Ending the day by applying a new coat of velatura, we are anxious to continue work once we come back from Rome!