20184M-001

The Eternal City in black and white This unique piece paints a poetic vision of Rome by night under a sky studded with gold stars, with the city’s emblematic architectural features emerging from the darkness as reflections in the Tiber River. To capture the nocturnal atmosphere of this picture, the artist called on the highly complex technique of grisaille enamel au blanc de Limoges, a white oil-based enamel that he drew out and sculpted with a tiny brush and a needle on a base of chestnut-brown translucent enamel. This enabled him to obtain, with remarkable finesse, skillful chiaroscuro monochromes depicting the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica, the bridge leading to the Castel Sant’ Angelo and the clouds that veil the Eternal City. He then illuminated the scene with foliage, twinkling points of light and stars painted in fine white or yellow gold. Each enameled plate underwent 10 firings at a temperature of approximately 780°C. Two jewelry appliques representing doves, embellished with hand-engraving, accompany an hour circle in white lacquer, its hands and Roman numerals inspired by a clock emblematic of the city. The dial center features a wavy sunburst motif in hand-executed guilloché work, shining through the translucent gray enamel. The clock pillars are fashioned in the style of Roman columns. This piece is powered by the caliber 17’’’ PEND mechanical movement, rewound by an electric motor.