Sanssouci Palace, Music Room, Potsdam. [Rights: Foundation of Prussian Palaces and Gardens Berlin Brandenburg, short: spsg]
Project (2012-2013)

The Technology of European Lacquer in Prussia of the Eighteenth Century

Motivated by the enthusiasm for the East Asian Lacquer art a new tendency occurred in the French rococo to make bright varnishes with a high brilliance. They were used as so-called European lacquer (oil-resin varnishes) applied mainly on precious interior decorations and furniture. Special procedures of varnish making were developed to obtain surfaces with a high gloss that appear porcelain-like. This study focused on the investigation of the technology of oil-resin varnish preparation by a systematic evaluation of the historic sources. In particular, information on the Prussian palaces available in archives was included such as the “Schatullrechnungen” (http://quellen.perspectivia.net/bestaende/spsg-schatullrechnungen, accessed March 20, 2013), and the records collected during the construction (Sammlung historischer Inventare, no. 398, in: Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten, Plankammer, Potsdam 1784). In addition to the study of the typical composition of the oil-resin mixtures and their making process the application in the interiors was examined in order to find characteristica for European lacquer used in Prussia. International and national influences on the development of European lacquer were investigated to understand the Prussian way. On the basis of the biographies of lacquer artists, their training and experience, relations and influences were studied to other centers of the lacquer preparation. Furthermore, the exact clarification of the historic terms used for the varnish ingredients were also considered in this project.