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Stradivari's golden ground varnish


Nicolaus

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I don’t recall many significant scientific investigations identifying a linseed oil ground. Correct me please if I’m wrong.

I am an advocate of a very lean ground varnish on top of a stained wood. This model fits a number of investigations.

A big issue is whether we are looking at the same application technique. really don’t think there was one Cremonese system. Perhaps there was a basic system using oil varnish and it components. But surely each maker tested new ideas.
The best approach is to find a system that you think looks Cremonese. Tell those who disagree to get lost. 
:ph34r:

 

 

 

 

 

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23 minutes ago, Michael_Molnar said:

I don’t recall many significant scientific investigations identifying a linseed oil ground. Correct me please if I’m wrong.

I am an advocate of a very lean ground varnish on top of a stained wood. This model fits a number of investigations.

A big issue is whether we are looking at the same application technique. really don’t think there was one Cremonese system. Perhaps there was a basic system using oil varnish and it components. But surely each maker tested new ideas.
The best approach is to find a system that you think looks Cremonese. Tell those who disagree to get lost. 
:ph34r:

 

 

 

 

 

A-MEN, brother Mike. 

That there was some oil involved in combination with resin (ie a varnish) as a ground is a possibility, but as far as Cremona goes, per Echard and Brandmair, Id agree that plain oil doesn't seem to fit. 

Right there with you - get some color in the wood, seal with a varnish. I have tried dozens of things, and done well nothing seems to look better for my taste.

And as you astutely observe, there's material and then there's how it's used. Without some skills and some wisdom, even the best of grounds can be screwed up. 

Lastly, one more "amen" for your last sentence. 

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38 minutes ago, Michael_Molnar said:

I don’t recall many significant scientific investigations identifying a linseed oil ground. Correct me please if I’m wrong.

I am an advocate of a very lean ground varnish on top of a stained wood. This model fits a number of investigations.

A big issue is whether we are looking at the same application technique. really don’t think there was one Cremonese system. Perhaps there was a basic system using oil varnish and it components. But surely each maker tested new ideas.
The best approach is to find a system that you think looks Cremonese. Tell those who disagree to get lost. 
:ph34r:

Mike, it's good to see you posting here.

I suspect that the most commonly referenced source for the identification of a drying oil ground is this 2009 communication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anie.200905131  Features are mentioned that the authors state “can be interpreted as those of a partially oxidized and hydrolyzed drying oil.”

The true situation is likely more complex as hinted at in Chapter 5 of Celine Daher's Ph.D. Thesis which was submitted in late 2012.  (She was a student of Echard's.)

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