The Museum of Decorative Arts is currently holding a great exhibition about the secrets of the French eighteenth century lacquer and the success of the Vernis Martin.
In collaboration with the Museum Lackkunst Münster in Germany, the exhibition brings together nearly 300 objects.
Commode à deux rangs de tiroirs, attribuée à Jean Demoulin, Paris, vers 1745. Bâti de chêne, préparation laque noire, décor en relief de laques polychromes, bronzes ciselés et dorés, marbre brèche d’Alep. Paris, musée des Arts décoratifs © Les Arts Décoratifs / photo : Jean Tholance
Lacquer is a product known in Europe since antiquity. Shellac is produced by a cochineal ( Coccus Malacca ) who lives in India and South-East Asia and secretes a dark red resin on tree branches, which after drying will be harvested.
Since the sixteenth century, Portuguese sailors brought back from their travels some Asian lacquers. Thereof trade is amplified especially in the following century, with the Dutch, who obtained the monopoly of trade with Japan. In 1686, the craze for Asian lacquers took particular hit after the visit of King of Siam's ambassadors, during which were offered prestigious lacquer to Louis XIV.
At the end of the seventeenth century, the increasingly high cost of Japanese lacquer production and the lowest quality of imported Chinese lacquers, led Europeans to create their own technic. Failing to discover the secret of its composition, they imitated his appearance. In France as in Germany, as well as England and Holland, the polishers artisans tried to imitate the lacquer.
Boîte, anonyme, d’après Jean-Michel Papillon, Paris, vers 1740
Bois, laque noire, décor en relief rehaussé de laque d’or et de poudre d’or et d’argent, laque rouge, applications d’ivoire et de nacre de diverses teintes rehaussées de gravure.
H. 4,3 ; D. 8,4 cm.
Hambourg, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe © DR
Among the most famous polishers, the Martin's brothers located in Paris, Faubourg Saint- Denis and Faubourg Saint-Martin.
Soon their name became associated with the technic of lacquer they elaborated.
William Martin (1689-1749), the most famous was nominated "King's varnisher" in 1725. He is the eldest in a family of polishers : Étienne- Simon (1703-1770), Julien (died in 1765), Robert (1705-1765), William II (1710-1770), whose children took over.
However difficulties to distinguish one from the other, the fact that they never signed or marked their production lead their contemporary to name their lacquer technic as "Vernis Martin".
In 1728, the Martin's brothers worked out an imitation of lacquer, intended to compete with Japanese lacquer, which recipe was kept secret. Chemical composition is different, most probably based on copal.
This "Vernis Martin" far less expensive than its Japanese and Chinese competitors, quickly grew successful.
Gradually, "Vernis Martin" emancipated from eastern style to a more colorful style. Indeed, Japanese and Chinese lacquers were only black and red, while "Vernis Martin" offers more various shades of colors: yellow, blue, green, white or gold.
Boîte de toilette, anonyme, Paris, vers 1750
Bois, préparation, laque bleue, décor en léger relief de laque avec poudre d’or, laques brune et rouge, bronze doré.
Collection privée
© DR / photo : Jean Tholance
In addition, the iconography is gradually moving from Asian scenes to landscapes and interior theme directly inspired by the work of contemporary painters such as Greuze, Boucher, Oudry or Vernet.
Panel of lacquer are applied on many supports such as furniture, trim panels, boxes, cases, and snuffboxes on materiel such as wood, metal, silver, ceramics,...
Vernis Martin became a witness of the French 18th century lifestyle and was in trend in every good Houses, Palaces or Castles.
Commode à deux rangs de tiroirs, transformée en console, estampillée de Jean-Louis Grandjean et Pierre Macret, Paris, vers 1755
Bâti en chêne et résineux, préparation, laque verte, décor à l’huile, laque transparente, bronze doré, marbre Sarrancolin.
Waddesdon, The Rothschild collection (Rothschild Family Trust)
© DR
Brother's Martin also lacquered many carriages and sedans. Very popular throughout Europe, several monarchs and fortunate Princes made huge commands. Among them, John V of Portugal ordered twenty-four sedans in 1727, as well as the Embassy of Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein. Production then reached the heights of refinement reproducing real paintings, with theme inspired by Oudry, Boucher, Dutour, Huet, Crepin, or Greuze .
Berline de la maison du Roi, anonyme, Paris, vers 1760
Bois sculpté et doré, laques noire, rouge, peinture à l’huile vernie polie, laque aventurine, laque transparente.
Intérieur garni de velours bleu brodé d’or, taffetas bleu, cuir, verre et métal.
Lisbonne, Museu Nacional dos coches © DR
The secrets of French lacquer : Vernis Martin
Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 117 Rue de Rivoli, Paris
February 13, 2014 - June 8, 2014
