Table 1 Summary of the results of visual examination, XRF and Raman analysis, as well as sampling locations for casein-based fixative identification for a selection of Gainsborough drawings. NA indicates samples or areas either not removed or not analyzed
From: Mixing, dipping, and fixing: the experimental drawing techniques of Thomas Gainsborough
Accession number | Title | Date | Medium (from object label) | White pigments (confirmed with XRF and/or Raman) | Coatings (inferred from visual examination) | Sampling locations for casein identification with nano-LC/MS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2005.82 | Study of Trees | 1750 | Graphite, with fixative, on laid paper | NA | Coating broadly applied with brush over media | White wash in background |
III, 60 | Landscape with Group of Figures Resting on a Hillside | 1770s | Brown chalk, lead white and blue oil paint, varnished, on laid paper | Lead white (area of cloud and sky near top edge at center) | Probable natural resin varnish | NA |
III, 55 | Landscape with Horse and Cart, and Ruin | 1770–1775 | Oil paint, lead white chalk and watercolor over black chalk, varnished, on laid paper | Lead white (area of building at right and cloud at center) | Probable natural resin varnish | NA |
2014.32 | Open Landscape with Drover and Packhorses | 1775–1780 | Watercolor and opaque watercolor, on brown laid paper | Lead white (area of cloud to the left of tree, opaque background, and all highlights) | No visible coating, bright lead white | Background with possible white wash |
III, 63 | Landscape with Horse and Cart Descending a Hill | ca. 1780 | Black chalk with smudging, on wove paper | NA | Deteriorated overall coating and probable selective use of wet media or binder to make chalk washes | Bare spot of upper right corner where G. may have held the paper while dipping in fixative |
Background, middle of sky, right of tree (no paint apparent) | ||||||
Background, sky above trees, right side (no paint apparent) | ||||||
2017.89 | Coastal Scene with Shipping, Figures, and Cows | ca. 1780 | Black watercolor and white opaque watercolor over black chalk with smudging | NA | Probable overall coating, bright lead white | Background, left portion of sky (no paint apparent) |
III, 61 | Wooded Landscape with Horseman, Figures, and Bridge | ca. 1780 | Black chalk with smudging, opaque lead white, on laid paper | Lead white (areas of river bank at proper left and cloud at center) | Locally applied, deteriorated coating | Center of pond (no paint apparent) |
III, 62 | Hilly Landscape with Cows on the Road | ca. 1780 | Black chalk with smudging, white chalk applied wet, on wove paper | Calcite (area of sheep on proper left at bottom, and white spots on tree at center) | Probable overall coating and selective use of wet media or binder to make chalk washes | Background, above trees (no paint apparent) |
Foreground, shaded road | ||||||
III, 63a | Wooded Landscape with Cows in a Pool | 1780–1785 | Black wash, lead white watercolor and red chalk over traces of black chalk, on laid paper | Lead white (highlights of cow) | Deteriorated overall coating | Front shoulder of light colored cow at center |
III, 59 | A Woman with Three Children | 1780–1785 | Black chalk with smudging, and white chalk, some applied wet, on tan laid paper | Calcite (areas from girl’s dress and baby’s arm) | No visible coating and selective use of wet media or binder to make chalk washes | NA |
III, 63b | Lady Walking in a Garden | ca. 1785 | Black and white chalks with smudging, worked wet and dry, watercolor, on laid paper washed with watercolor | Calcite (area of lady’s gown) | No visible coating and selective use of wet media or binder to make chalk washes | NA |