Techniques for fixating dry media on paper in the 19th century – a study based on cartoons (1871–72) by Eduard Bitterlich

Abstract

This study focusses on arttechnological aspects of eight cartoons from the collection of the Kupferstichkabinett of the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. The cartoons were created in 1871/72 by Eduard Bitterlich as templates for ceiling paintings in the reception hall of the Palais Epstein. During the research project they were studied in detail, focusing on the documentation and interpretation of traces that provide insight into their manufacturing process and usage. Special attention was given to the fixation of the drawing. During the thorough examination of the cartoons in normal and UV light, a number of observations were made which are indications for certain fixation techniques. A subsequent review of 18th-twentieth century sources on drawing techniques provided a general overview of the range of different materials and their application for fixating dry media on paper. A selection of the most commonly used techniques were then reconstructed in a series of tests, studying their handling properties, practicability and their ability to fixate particles of dry medium to the paper surface. Phenomena observed on the samples in normal and UV light were compared to the original cartoons, and suppositions could be made regarding the different fixation media and their application technique. Some results could be confirmed with FTIR analysis of small droplets of the fixation medium.