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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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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

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Bruce MacLeish
Curator Emeritus, Newport Restoration Foundation
Cooperstown NY
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