The development of Ottilie W. Roederstein’s (1859–1937) painting technique and her choice of materials – she was a highly successful portraitist in her day – are somewhat exemplary for artists of her generation. Documents from her estate have revealed that, in addition to oil paint, she also used tempera paint – which was becoming increasingly popular at the time – and distinguished between ‘pure tempera’, ‘tempera with varnish colours’ and ‘Weimar tempera’, the latter of which became commercially available from 1907.
This art technological research project is being carried out in close collaboration with the authors of the catalogue raisonné of Roederstein’s paintings. In addition to technical aspects of painting and materials, the project is also investigating the possibilities of distinguishing between original versions and copies by the artist’s own hand, as well as addressing questions regarding the state of preservation of individual paintings.
The research will lead to the publication of an essay, which willbe part of the catalogue raisonné and made available online free of charge. At the same time, the findings will be shared with the authors of the catalogue raisonné on an ongoing basis and incorporated into the work entries and commentaries.