‘Watercolour drawings’ - reflections on historical painted manuscripts techniques and materials identification.

ABSTRACT This paper aims to foment the terminological and conceptual discussion involved in the identification of techniques and materials applied to manuscripts, drawings and paintings, particularly produced during scientific expeditions in the 18th and the 19th centuries; it also analyzes other images from that time, regardless of their artistic status. The methodological approach is established on interdisciplinary interests of Social History, Art History, and Conservation Science. Specification of the inks used on paper, their application and preparation methods, as well as the distinction of the optical effects resulting from the different process, could avoid the widespread generalizations in the use of the expression “watercolor drawing”. Social and historical circumstances related to the production of the visual material could also help identifying the material qualities of graphic documents, and distinguishing among graffiti, china ink and watercolor drawings, and between body color and watercolor paintings. It is important to acknowledge that the use of materials and techniques was a painter’s social and historical choice made from many possibilities.