Dourar e pintar: a polivalĉncia artística dos mestres douradores de Lisboa na êpoca barroca

The artistic versatility of the gilding masters of the baroque period in Lisbon is fully documented on the work contracts and accounting books of the many brotherhoods, religious orders and other commissioners. As professionals like woodcarvers, masons and tile makers, the gilding masters were elected by the contractors to compose artistic programs that had to deal with the baroque notion of bel composto. Sometimes commissions reported to the gilding of the woodcarved altarpieces, the painting of areas of the altar that were meant to imitate other materials, like stone and painting ceilings and other areas. In addition to the gilding of the woodcarved altars, these professionals were often asked to encarnar and estofar the major images of the Virgin, Christ, saints, angels and putti and some of them also executed oil paintings for the main altars and other places of the churches, like the naves or vestries of the temples.