Varnishing Collection

London Trade Card - Nathan Drake, Colourman, successor to Mr Robert Keating, White Hart, Long Acre, London, supplies for artists and house painters. circa 1760s

Jean-Marie Coutelle, Appointed Commander of Les Aerostiers, 1794. Below right
528360 Jean-Marie Coutelle, Appointed Commander of Les Aerostiers, 1794. Below right, varnishing balloon at School of Military Ballooning, Meudon

The varnishing of a balloon
3732728 The varnishing of a balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the varnishing of a balloon. Dated 18th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Vinolia Company Advertisement
An illustrated advertisement for Vinolia Co Ltd, promoting their varnishing cream, for the red cross worker, who will not have much time to devote to the care of her skin and complexion

Toleware Tray, c. 1940. Creator: Betty Jacob
Toleware Tray, c. 1940

The Paris Exhibition of 1878 (engraving)
1050171 The Paris Exhibition of 1878 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Paris Exhibition of 1878)

Sir John and Lady Lavery at the exhibition of their pictures at the Alpine Club Galleries in 1921. Sir John is busy varnishing one of his canvases. Date: 1921

Punch cartoon: Varnishing Day at the Royal Academy (engraving)
6034858 Punch cartoon: Varnishing Day at the Royal Academy (engraving) by Du Maurier, George (1834-96) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punch cartoon: Varnishing Day at the Royal Academy)

The New Sevres Porcelain Manufactory in the Park of St Cloud (engraving)
1613293 The New Sevres Porcelain Manufactory in the Park of St Cloud (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Parliamentary Elections and Electioneering in the Old Days (engraving)
1041299 Parliamentary Elections and Electioneering in the Old Days (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Picture Frame Maker, Henry Jouret, trade card (engraving)
984060 Picture Frame Maker, Henry Jouret, trade card (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Picture Frame Maker, Henry Jouret, trade card)

M Santos Dumonts Disputed Winning of the Deutsch Prize, 19 October (b / w photo)
1628472 M Santos Dumonts Disputed Winning of the Deutsch Prize, 19 October (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Vive la France, Marchands de "Tableaux"se Preparant pour la Vente Publique /
Vive la France, Marchands de " Tableaux" se Preparant pour la Vente Publique / Picture " Dealers" Preparing for " Auction", 1840

Varnishing Day at the Royal Academy, 1877. Artist: George Du Maurier
Varnishing Day at the Royal Academy, 1877. From the 19th June 1877 edition of Punch Magazine

Engraving depicting the varnishing of a balloon, 18th century
Engraving depicting the varnishing of a balloon

Source Size = 3777 x 5020
Varnishing Day at the Royal Academy

Water drops on car paint

Making recording on Emile Berliners Gramophone (1887). Speaking into tube produced trace on glass disc (A) coated with lamp-black. D, electric motor, E its battery

Jean-Marie Coutelle, Appointed Commander of Les Aerostiers, 1794. Below right, varnishing balloon at School of Military Ballooning, Meudon

Hand holding paintbrush, varnishing wooden trellis, close-up

Giorgio de Chirico exhibits
Feature in The Tatler, 25th May 1949 : Giorgio de Chirico exhibits at the Royal Society of British Artists. Italys great Modernist painter, turned traditionalist, is welcomed to London

Varnishing Nails
Nail varnish should be applied very carefully, with a small brush, first horizontally from left to right, then vertically from the fingertips downwards. Do not smear the varnish! Date: 1930s

Varnishing a mast
A lady in shorts and sleeveless top varnishes the mast of a boat on the Norfolk Broads in the 1930s

J. M. W. Turner at the Royal Academy, 1845
JOSEPH MALLORD WILLIAM TURNER English painter, pictured at the Royal Academy on varnishing day, 1845

Varnishing Oars, 1930
Mr. A. Bushnell painting the blade of an Oxford oar which will be used in the Oxford vs Cambridge boat race. For over 50 years he was responsible for such finishing touches

Nail Varnishing 1960S
A girl in a flouncy pink dress applying pink nail varnish to her nails

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"Varnishing: A Timeless Art of Preservation and Beauty" Step into the world of varnishing, where London Trade Card by Nathan Drake, Colourman, takes us back in time to an era when craftsmen skillfully enhanced the allure of paintings. As we explore further, Vinolia Company Advertisements beckon us with promises of superior varnish products that protect and enhance cherished artworks. Intriguingly, a Toleware Tray from 1940 crafted by Betty Jacob showcases the exquisite results achieved through careful varnishing. The Paris Exhibition of 1878 engraving transports us to a grand event where artists proudly displayed their masterpieces adorned with lustrous layers of varnish. Even renowned figures like Sir John and Lady Lavery couldn't resist showcasing their artwork at the Alpine Club Galleries during an exhibition. A Punch cartoon humorously captures the anticipation and excitement surrounding Varnishing Day at the Royal Academy—an occasion for artists to add final touches before public display. Beyond paintings, varnishing played a crucial role in preserving delicate porcelain as depicted in The New Sevres Porcelain Manufactory engraving set amidst St Cloud's picturesque park. Furthermore, Parliamentary Elections and Electioneering in the Old Days engraving reminds us that even political campaigns sought skilled artisans to embellish campaign materials with glossy finishes. The trade card featuring Picture Frame Maker Henry Jouret emphasizes how every aspect of artistry benefits from proper preservation techniques like varnishing. Meanwhile, M Santos Dumonts Disputed Winning of the Deutsch Prize photograph highlights how this technique extends beyond traditional art forms into other realms such as aviation history. Through these glimpses into various historical moments and artistic endeavors, we witness how varnishing has remained an essential practice throughout centuries—a testament to its enduring significance in both protecting precious works and enhancing their visual appeal.