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During an appraisal I came across a work that the owners were convinced was a painting. I was able to ascertain from a label snippet that it was a Reofect product, which seems to be a early-mid 20th century means of reproduction. While a search yielded results regarding the company, I was unable to find a description of the actual process. The creator applied for but did not patent the technology, so that’s a dead end. I’ve come across these before in various collections, and would love to know what Reofect really is.

Thank you in advance.

Alexa D. Potter
Independent Curator and Appraiser

I can't be certain about Reofect, since I cannot track down the name in any of my references. I have messages out to a couple of conservators, who may have encountered this process before. My somewhat-educated guess is that the image was created using a photographic process that is similar to autochrome -- I won't go into that in detail, but it created a color image by means of black-and-white chemistry and three different colors of minute potato starch granules. That's worth exploring, if you're interested. 

I am "dyeing" (excuse the pun) to find out more about Reofect, and I will pass along anything I find, unless a kindly expert posts something first.

Best,

Bruce

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Bruce MacLeish
Curator Emeritus, Newport Restoration Foundation
Cooperstown NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-02-2021 08:31 PM
From: Alexa Potter
Subject: Reofect "Painting"

During an appraisal I came across a work that the owners were convinced was a painting. I was able to ascertain from a label snippet that it was a Reofect product, which seems to be a early-mid 20th century means of reproduction. While a search yielded results regarding the company, I was unable to find a description of the actual process. The creator applied for but did not patent the technology, so that's a dead end. I've come across these before in various collections, and would love to know what Reofect really is.

Thank you in advance.

Alexa D. Potter
Independent Curator and Appraiser

Bruce,

Thank you. Even under a loupe I couldn't identify what I was seeing, so I would love more information if you get any responses.

You can respond to me directly at alexadpotter@gmail.com

Alexa 

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Alexa Potter
Curator and Appraiser
Washington DC
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-03-2021 05:32 PM
From: Bruce MacLeish
Subject: Reofect "Painting"

I can't be certain about Reofect, since I cannot track down the name in any of my references. I have messages out to a couple of conservators, who may have encountered this process before. My somewhat-educated guess is that the image was created using a photographic process that is similar to autochrome -- I won't go into that in detail, but it created a color image by means of black-and-white chemistry and three different colors of minute potato starch granules. That's worth exploring, if you're interested.

I am "dyeing" (excuse the pun) to find out more about Reofect, and I will pass along anything I find, unless a kindly expert posts something first.

Best,

Bruce

------------------------------
Bruce MacLeish
Curator Emeritus, Newport Restoration Foundation
Cooperstown NY

Original Message:
Sent: 03-02-2021 08:31 PM
From: Alexa Potter
Subject: Reofect "Painting"

During an appraisal I came across a work that the owners were convinced was a painting. I was able to ascertain from a label snippet that it was a Reofect product, which seems to be a early-mid 20th century means of reproduction. While a search yielded results regarding the company, I was unable to find a description of the actual process. The creator applied for but did not patent the technology, so that's a dead end. I've come across these before in various collections, and would love to know what Reofect really is.

Thank you in advance.

Alexa D. Potter
Independent Curator and Appraiser