In the city where Michelangelo and Leonardo lived, even children can create and realize small masterpieces with Florentine marble paper, The origins of decorative marble paper date back to the 10th century in the Far East. Merchants in China and Japan often used the paper as packaging for lining boxes, and later for book covers.
The technique for marbling paper arrived in Europe in the 16th century and artisans in Florence are noted today for their beautifully-made papers. The patterns often mimic the natural design of marble stone.
What few people know is that, in its simplest form, marbling paper can be done by children as a fun hands-on art project. With my daughter, Caterina, we filled a shallow basin with water, and added various paint colors to the surface. We used a wooden stick to create vortexes and zigzags, drawing the colors together in different patterns. We had fun making various decorations, it was so exciting to play to interpret the spots.
When we had a design we liked, we placed a sheet of paper on the water, magically imprinting the paper with the colors on the surface. It was astonishing and a delight for Caterina to see. Each paper was unique and special and left her wanting to try more.
For those visiting Florence, there are still some unique workshops offering Florentine Marble Paper in a wide variety of beautiful designs and patterns. Come and enjoy with me the secrets and traditions of the local artisans.
