Fran Gonzalez (1959) - El Ojo de Bissier

Title: The Eye of Bissier

Theme: "The Eye of Bissier" is a pictorial work that forms part of Fran González's artistic research on applying traditional Gilding techniques to Art Contemporary (Contemporary Gilding).

"The Eye of Bissier" is a work of great textural richness and luminosity. Its strong presence and its Contemporary aesthetics pay homage to Julius Bissier; it is conceived to fill any interior space with magic and warmth.

The work is delivered mounted on a frame, ready to hang on the wall, and comes with a certificate that guarantees its originality, authorship and provenance.

Technique: High-grade paper collage with acrylic and imitation gold leaf on 350 g/m² cotton canvas mounted on a wooden frame.
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About gilding techniques: The traditional gilding technique consists of applying very thin sheets of metal (gold, silver, imitation gold (i.e., bronze), aluminum, copper, etc.) onto any artistic surface (wood, metal, ceramics, textiles, etc.).
Contemporary Gilding: Contemporary gilding techniques are unique and exclusive to Fran González and originate from the experimental philosophy of 20th-century contemporary art, developed over more than 40 years of professional career, and they give the works qualities that radiate a magical light that permeates the space where they are displayed.
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Shipping: flat packaging (frame included) protected
Dimensions: 60 cm x 60 cm. (XXL)
Hand-signed on reverse Fran González, by @contemporarygilding
Year 2026
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Fran González (Spain, 1959) is a contemporary artist who works with the gilding technique from a current perspective. Under the name "Contemporary Gilding" he explores the contrast between the material and the symbolic through unique works and limited editions.
González's career began in 1982 when, after studying Engineering at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, he decided to devote himself full-time to Sculpture and Ceramics. He studied Art at the School of Fine Arts of Madrid, the Official School of Ceramics of Madrid and participated in various Contemporary Art Studios at the Circulo de Bellas Artes in Madrid with contemporary artists as relevant as Julian Schnabel, Eva Lootz, Juan Hidalgo and Valcárcel Medina, between 1982 and 1990.
Although his development has been largely self-taught, Fran González has achieved various awards and recognitions since the beginning of his career both nationally and internationally. Thanks to having resided in several European countries, his works are in numerous private collections in France, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Ireland and the USA.
More extensive information about his work and career can be found by using Google with the tags "Fran Gonzalez" and "Contemporary Gilding".
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Fran González in the media:
(Article about FG in the European Craft Portal "Mad´in Europe" (Extracts))

"Fran(cisco) González is a ceramist, sculptor, painter and contemporary gilder whose practice unites traditional craftsmanship and innovative technique. With more than four decades of experience, his work reflects a continuous dialogue between material, process and inspiration. His main gilding method, used around 80% of the time, is water gilding, which he selects for its lower toxicity and sustainability, especially when working indoors...
Much of Francisco's work is inspired by archaeological artifacts and ancient cultures. Whether the Greeks, the Etruscans, the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Chinese, the Japanese, or the rich hybrid Arab culture in Spain, his fascination lies not only in past forms and techniques but in the emotional resonance they carry. This emotional depth permeates his ceramics, gilded sculptures and even his evolving work in jewelry design.
This curiosity led him to prehistoric origins and, gradually, to experimenting with new materials and forms...