Book: Andreu Vilasis

Magnificent, informative, brilliant. Every enamelist should have this book in their collection.

Enamelling: The complicity of fire and art

In Andreu’s own words:
“I hope and desire that the reader of this book will find within it a guide in their tasks, emerging from the experience of an entire life dedicated to this art.”

An English translation of Andreu Vilasís magnificent enamelling technique book.

Fully illustrated, 256 pages, hardcover. Sample pages available below. ISSBN 9789464590524

Enamelling, the Complicity of Fire and Art is a gorgeous hardback book, a complete technical guide in the Art & Craft of enamelling.

The book guides you from ‘What is enamel?’, tools and materials, firing, properties and treatment of metals, preparation and working processes of enamels, and all techniques both traditional and contemporary, written with clarity and passion by a luminary in the field, Andreu Vilasís.

You will find chapters on techniques with hundreds (in some case thousands!) of years of history such as Champlevé, Basse-taille, Cloisonné, Plique-à-jour and Grisaille, as well as more avantgarde ones such as Stencils, Electro-forming, Oxidation, Decals and Silk-screen printing. Included is the gorgeous technique which the Author developed in the 20th century: Opalescent Grisaille. Check the Table of Contents below for much more!

This is an excellent reference book for both beginners and experienced enamellists – you will find yourself frequently referring back to it throughout your enamelling career. You will not be able to flick through this book without feeling inspired, with stunning high detail photos of intricate enamel work.

English translation of “Esmaltar. La complicidad del fuego con el arte”. Translation by Mer Almagro.
The book was first published in Catalan in 1982 and was at the time the first professional, technical manual on the art of enamel over metals published in Europe in the 20th century. It was translated to Spanish in 1983, and went through several revisions, the last one in 2008 was a complete update and overhaul, and which has now been translated and yet again updated under supervision of the Author.

About the Author
Andreu Vilasís was born in Barcelona in 1934, and was a vitreous enamel artist from the 50’s and until his death. Andreu began teaching in the 1970’s at the Llotja School and was a professor well into his seventies. In 2022 he was awarded the Cross of Sant Jordi, posthumously, for his long career as an enameller of international prestige and for his tireless work as a teacher and mentor.

His work is exhibited in many museums. He was an active artist and supervised work on the updated version of this book up to his last days. Many new images have been retrieved from his archives by enamellist, teacher and mentor Núria López-Ribalta and newly enhanced with utmost care for this edition.