HM Carl Reinic Rosenberg

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Joshua Haynes
5 years ago
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HM 13698 Carl Reinic Rosenberg Sample HM 13698 was taken from a bonad/bård painted within Halland.

The object is technically not a bonad, but a bård and was produced at the end of the the period in question. The dimensions are 373x25.5 cm.

Image 55 Front painted surface of sample HM 13698, 11x magnification.

The fibres are relatively long and the paper is thick and easily cleaves into planes.

2 HM Carl Reinic Rosenberg Sample HM was taken from a bonad/bård painted within Halland. It depicts a repeated stylised, floral motif which possibly has been block printed. The object is technically not a bonad, but a bård and was produced at the end of the the period in question. The dimensions are 373x25.5 cm. The work is undated and unsigned; it entered the museum s collection in Image 55 Front painted surface of sample HM 13698, 11x magnification. The painted surface is brittle and flaking, and individual fibres can be discerned at the torn edge. The fibres are relatively long and the paper is thick and easily cleaves into planes. Image 56 Reverse surface of sample HM 13698, 60x magnification. The fibres are predominantly white with some blue, red and brown fibres distributed through the paper matrix. Image 57 HM 13698, 40x magnification dark field. Aluminon. This paper displayed an immediate and strong positive test for aluminium. The pink colour is evenly distributed throughout the sheet. It is likely that this paper was treated with alum and possible that it received an alum rosin size. J a c o b T h o m a s 85

Images 58 and 59 HM 13698, Graff C stain 40x and 100x magnification, dark field.

Many of the fibres display the characteristic twist of cotton and are likely from cotton rags or cuttings from the textile industry.

Since this paper could date from the 1870 s it is not surprising to find a larger proportion of wood pulp or even chemically treated pulp

The blue to violet colour of this stain indicates that the fibres are predominantly cotton, but close examination also reveals the presence

The large population of cotton fibres, as well as the presence of more coloured fibres helps to place the paper within a later period when

3 Images 58 and 59 HM 13698, Graff C stain 40x and 100x magnification, dark field. The fibres stained predominantly red indicating low amount of lignin. Many of the fibres display the characteristic twist of cotton and are likely from cotton rags or cuttings from the textile industry. However there is also a large population of mechanical wood pulp (yellow) and partially alkali cooked wood pulp (green). Since this paper could date from the 1870 s it is not surprising to find a larger proportion of wood pulp or even chemically treated pulp in the paper. Image 60 HM 13698, Neocarmine 40x magnification, dark field. The blue to violet colour of this stain indicates that the fibres are predominantly cotton, but close examination also reveals the presence of linen. Wool and other hair fibres are easily distinguishable. The large population of cotton fibres, as well as the presence of more coloured fibres helps to place the paper within a later period when high quality linen and hemp rags were in shorter supply and imported cotton was the predominant fibre used in the textile industry. Images 61 and 62 HM 13698, Fluoroglucinol test for lignin. 100x and 200x magnification, dark field. This test confirms the presence of wood pulp. Examination of the moderately disrupted fibres shows that they have undergone more processing than wood fibres found in other samples. J a c o b T h o m a s 86

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HM 9454 Carl Reinic Rosenberg Sample HM 9454 was taken from a bonad painted by Carl Reinic Rosenberg.

The work is undated and unsigned; it entered the museum s collection in 1930.

The painted surface is brittle and flaking, and individual fibres can be discerned at the torn edge.

Image 64 Reverse surface of sample HM 9454, 60x magnification.

Images 65 and 66 HM 9454, 40x and 200x magnification, dark field. Aluminon reagent.

6 HM 9454 Carl Reinic Rosenberg Sample HM 9454 was taken from a bonad painted by Carl Reinic Rosenberg. It is a fragment of the wedding feast at Caana. The dimensions are 79x55 cm. The work is undated and unsigned; it entered the museum s collection in Image 63 Front painted surface of sample HM 9454, 11x magnification. The painted surface is brittle and flaking, and individual fibres can be discerned at the torn edge. The fibres are medium short and some are brittle. The paper cleaves easily in the plane of sheet. Image 64 Reverse surface of sample HM 9454, 60x magnification. The fibres are predominantly white with few blue fibres, and some pieces of what appears to be saw dust or shrive portion. Images 65 and 66 HM 9454, 40x and 200x magnification, dark field. Aluminon reagent. The aluminium is evenly distributed throughout the paper matrix, though most of it seems to be bound to an inter-fibre material. In the lower image, it is possible to identify some fibres, and to see that aluminium is bound to the fibre surface. The presence of aluminium on the fibre surface is not definitive of alum-rosin size because cellulose has a high affinity for aluminium and alum was used for multiple purposes during the paper making process. J a c o b T h o m a s 89

Images 67 and 68 HM 9454, Graff C stain 200x and 40x magnification, dark field. This paper contains a mix of fibres.

The mechanical wood pulp stains yellow and can be seen in the upper image, while the green, blue and purple fibres in both images

It is also possible to see that the fibres have been aggressively beaten yielding a high population of fibrils.

The rag fibres and any highly purified wood fibre stained bluish violet, while fibres with a high percent lignin did not accept

7 Images 67 and 68 HM 9454, Graff C stain 200x and 40x magnification, dark field. This paper contains a mix of fibres. There is a high population of wood fibre with varying degrees of processing and there are some rag fibres (staining red to orange). The mechanical wood pulp stains yellow and can be seen in the upper image, while the green, blue and purple fibres in both images are from processed wood pulp. It is also possible to see that the fibres have been aggressively beaten yielding a high population of fibrils. Image 69 HM 9454, Neocarmine 100x magnification, dark field. This paper did not stain well with neocarmine. The rag fibres and any highly purified wood fibre stained bluish violet, while fibres with a high percent lignin did not accept the stain. Image 70 HM 9454, 100x magnification, dark field. Fluoroglucinol test for lignin. This paper contains a high percentage of lignin, there are obvious chunks of wood pulp as well as other atypical fibres. The entire sheet has taken pinkish cast. Jacob Thomas Bonader on Paper 90

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HM 8320 Carl Reinic Rosenberg Sample HM 8320 was taken from a bonad painted in Halland by Carl Reinic Rosenberg.

The dimensions are 189 x 59 cm. The work is undated and unsigned, and the date of acquisition is not recorded on catalogue card.

There are several orange stains which test positive for iron and the hole is an artefact of the original display practices.

The fibres are medium length and manipulation of the sample generates a powdery residue. Image 72 Reverse surface of sample HM 8320, 60x magnification.

10 HM 8320 Carl Reinic Rosenberg Sample HM 8320 was taken from a bonad painted in Halland by Carl Reinic Rosenberg. It depicts the wedding at Caana with two musicians. As is typical of his work, elements of the painting were applied with block prints then hand coloured. The dimensions are 189 x 59 cm. The work is undated and unsigned, and the date of acquisition is not recorded on catalogue card. Image 71 Front surface of sample HM 8320, 11x magnification. There is no paint on this sample, though higher magnification reveals a ground treatment. There are several orange stains which test positive for iron and the hole is an artefact of the original display practices. Individual fibres can be discerned at the torn edge. The paper is thick and shows good formation. The fibres are medium length and manipulation of the sample generates a powdery residue. Image 72 Reverse surface of sample HM 8320, 60x magnification. The paper is greyish and dirty. The fibres are predominantly white with some blue and green fibres. Individual fibres are brittle, but the paper is still in relatively good condition. Image 73 HM 8320, aluminon 40x magnification dark field. This sample showed a strong positive test for aluminium which is evenly distributed throughout the sheet. J a c o b T h o m a s 93

Image 74 HM 8320, Graff C stain 100x magnification, dark field. The fibres stained predominantly red to reddish orange.

There are some coloured fibres present, and a few fibres that might be highly treated wood pulp. Image 75 HM 8320, Neocarmine 100x magnification, dark field.

The cotton with its characteristic twist is easily identifiable in blue to purple. While fines and linen stain red to reddish violet.

11 Image 74 HM 8320, Graff C stain 100x magnification, dark field. The fibres stained predominantly red to reddish orange. The red fibres are low in lignin and are likely from a rag source, in this case cotton. There are some coloured fibres present, and a few fibres that might be highly treated wood pulp. Image 75 HM 8320, Neocarmine 100x magnification, dark field. In this image it is easy to distinguish a yellow stained wool fibre with its characteristic scales from other fibres. The cotton with its characteristic twist is easily identifiable in blue to purple. While fines and linen stain red to reddish violet. The bulk of the fibres are a blend of cotton and linen from rag sources. Image 76 HM 8320, Fluorglucinol test for lignin. 100x magnification, dark field. The bulk of the material is lignin free, but there are several fibres which show high amounts of lignin. The lignin is localized to a central medulla of the fibre. J a c o b T h o m a s 94

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HM 7986 Unattributed Earlier Artist Sample HM 7986 was taken from a bonad painted within Västra Småländ.

Space between figures is decorated with stylised vegetation and separating columns; though the effect is not overcrowded. The dimensions are 384x27.5 cm.

The painted surface is well adhered and in good condition, few individual fibres can be discerned at the torn edge. Manipulation of the sample generates a powdery residue.

The paper is thick and does not cleave easily, and it shows good formation. The fibres are predominantly white with some blue and brown fibres.

14 HM 7986 Unattributed Earlier Artist Sample HM 7986 was taken from a bonad painted within Västra Småländ. The motif is secular in nature and depicts a wedding procession in the form of a group of sleighs moving from right to left. The painter made use of perspective when drawing buildings. Space between figures is decorated with stylised vegetation and separating columns; though the effect is not overcrowded. The dimensions are 384x27.5 cm. The work is unsigned but dates from 1820; it entered the museum s collection in Image 77 Front painted surface of sample HM 7986, 11x magnification. The painted surface is well adhered and in good condition, few individual fibres can be discerned at the torn edge. Manipulation of the sample generates a powdery residue. This residue is likely from the degraded cellulosic fibres. Image 78 Reverse surface of sample HM 7986, 60x magnification. The paper is thick and does not cleave easily, and it shows good formation. The fibres are predominantly white with some blue and brown fibres. The fibres are short, fine, and extremely brittle, indicating a low ph. Image 79 HM 7986, 100x magnification dark field. Treatment with Aluminon reagent yielded a weakly positive result. Large chunks of unstained material is easily visible. That this material did not take the stain indicates that aluminium is not bound to the fibres which suggests that they have a higher ratio of lignin and that they were not processed to the same extent as the bulk of the fibres. J a c o b T h o m a s 97

Image 80 Graff C stain 40x magnification, dark field. The fibres predominantly resisted staining. This is possible when working with old rag pulps which are acidic in nature.

Its presence in a paper dated to 1820 is surprising and suggests that Swedish papermakers could have been experimenting with wood fibres at an earlier date than commonly accepted.

Images 81 and 82 HM 7986, Neocarmine 40x magnification, dark field. The lower image illustrates the fine nature of the fibres and the good paper formation.

It is quite possible that it is human in origin. In the upper image a purple stained cotton fibre is present, as is a thick animal hair.

15 Image 80 Graff C stain 40x magnification, dark field. The fibres predominantly resisted staining. This is possible when working with old rag pulps which are acidic in nature. However, the atypical fibres visible in the centre of the image stained bright yellow orange which is typical of ground wood pulp. Its presence in a paper dated to 1820 is surprising and suggests that Swedish papermakers could have been experimenting with wood fibres at an earlier date than commonly accepted. Alternatively the fibres could be the shrive portion of jute which stains the same the same colour. Jute could have been added in the form of old ropes and nets. Images 81 and 82 HM 7986, Neocarmine 40x magnification, dark field. The lower image illustrates the fine nature of the fibres and the good paper formation. That the stain is reddish violet indicates that the fibres are mostly linen. The Y shaped fibre is actually a single strand of hair twisted back on itself. It is quite possible that it is human in origin. In the upper image a purple stained cotton fibre is present, as is a thick animal hair. The hair was likely deposited in the paper when it was hung to dry on a hair rope. Image 83 HM 7986, Fluorglucinol test for lignin. 40x magnification, dark field. Spot testing on the paper revealed that the bulk of the material is lignin free within the test parameters, however there are atypical fibres in the paper which test strongly positive for lignin. This material is likely wood pulp, but it could be shrive portion of jute fibre. J a c o b T h o m a s 98

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Itemised fibre analysis and additive results and images of original museum catalogue cards

A p p e n d i x A Itemised fibre analysis and additive results and images of original museum catalogue cards Readers Please note: The black and white images of the bonader and the images of the catalogue