Dr Caroline Rae

  • Lecturer in Technical Art History (History of Art)

Research interests

As a technical art historian, I combine traditional methods of art historical research with the scientific study of materials and techniques in order to gain a holistic understanding of paintings, their modes of production, and the artists, assistants and craftsmen and women who contributed to their making. This intersection also helps us to fruitfully address questions of conservation, display, attribution and authentication.

I specialise in the Early Modern period, with a focus on Netherlandish emigre artists who worked in Tudor/ early Stuart England and Jacobean Scotland (John de Critz the Elder, Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, Adrian Vanson and Adam de Colone). In this context I look at broader questions of mutual influence and cross-cultural dialogue between emigré and native artists in terms of technique, workshop practice and iconography.

My PhD thesis (submitted April 2015) dealt with Anglo-Netherlandish workshop practice from the 1580s to the early 1630s, with a focus on, and comprehensive technical investigation of, the works of de Critz and Gheeraerts , two key court artists working at the court of James VI and I. A further focus of the thesis was  materials and techniques utilised by de Critz and Gheeraerts with two key native contemporaries, Robert Peake and William Larkin. The PhD was jointly hosted by the Courtauld and the National Portrait Gallery, and funded by the Leverhulme Trust as part of the major 'Making Art in Tudor Britain' (MATB)  interdisciplinary research project at the NPG

I have also conducted extensive research and technical analysis on the works of Fuseli. I have conducted the only comprehensive study of the artist's materials and techniques to date, which included technical examination of 32 paintings, in conjunction with documentary research (Fuseli's lectures on painting at the Royal Academy and accounts of his working practice by pupils and other contemporaries). I have subsequently undertaken art historical research and technical analysis in support of authentication on various works attributed to the artist, and I have recently completed an essay on Fuseli's materials and techniques for inclusion in the catologue of the forthcoming "Fuseli: Drama and Theatre" exhibition opening at the Kunstmuseum, Basel later in 2018.

I welcome research proposals related to these topics.


Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2009
Number of items: 17.

2018

Rae, C. (2018) Henry Fuseli: materials, techniques and degradation. In: Reifert, E. (ed.) Henry Fuseli: Drama and Theatre. Prestel in association with Kunstmuseum Basel: Munich. ISBN 9783791357584

Rae, C. (2018) A Secret History: Sir Robert Cecil, a Venetian Mosaic, and the Discovery of a Lost Portrait by John de Critz. History of Art Staff Research Symposium, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK, 27 Apr 2018. (Unpublished)

2017

Rae, C. (2017) New thoughts on Adrian Vanson and Adam de Colone: Technical Analysis of Portraits by Two Netherlandish Artists who Worked in Jacobean Scotland. National Galleries of Scotland Public Lecture, Edinburgh, UK, 07 Dec 2017. (Unpublished)

Rae, C. , Anderson, K. and Stevenson, L. (2017) Art and Analysis: Two Stranger Painters in Jacobean Scotland. [Exhibitions]

2016

Rae, C. (2016) Adrian Vanson and Adam de Colone: Technical Study of Two Scoto-Jacobean Stranger-Painters. Caroline Villers Research Fellowship Inaugural Lecture, London, UK, 27 Oct 2017. (Unpublished)

Rae, C. and Sheldon, L. (2016) Lost purples: detection, composition and reconstruction. Rediscovering the appearance and contemporary resonance of purple paint in Tudor and Stuart portraits. In: Clarricoates, R., Dowding, H. and Gent, A. (eds.) Colour Change in Paintings. Archetype Publications Ltd in association with the Icon Paintings Group: London, pp. 103-109. ISBN 9781909492431

2015

Rae, C. (2015) Steven van der Meulen. In: Beyer, A., Savoy, B. and Tegethoff, W. (eds.) Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon. Die Bildenden Künstler aller Zeiten und Völker. De Gruyter: Berlin, p. 247. ISBN 9783110232547

Rae, C. (2015) Edward Lutterell. In: Beyer, A., Savoy, B. and Tegethoff, W. (eds.) Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon. Die Bildenden Künstler aller Zeiten und Völker. De Gruyter: Berlin, p. 31. ISBN 9783110232523

Rae, C. , Plender, S. and Burnstock, A. (2015) 'The work of God and not of man,' Gilding and the English Renaissance Portrait. GILT-EnArt 2015 Gilding Materials and Techniques in European Art, Evora, Portugal, 25-27 Mar 2015. (Unpublished)

Rae, C. (2015) Marcus Gheeraerts, John de Critz, Robert Peake and William Larkin: A comparative study. In: Cooper, T., Burnstock, A., Howard, M. and Town, E. (eds.) Painting in Britain 1500-1630: Production, Influences and Patronage. Oxford University Press: Oxford, pp. 170-179. ISBN 9780197265840

Rae, C. (2015) William Larkin. In: Beyer, A., Savoy, B. and Tegethoff, W. (eds.) Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon. Die Bildenden Künstler aller Zeiten und Völker. De Gruyter: Berlin, p. 207. ISBN 9783110231885

2014

Rae, C. and Burnstock, A. (2014) A technical study of portraits of King James VI and I attributed to John de Critz the Elder (d.1642): Artist, workshop and copies. In: Hermens, E. (ed.) European Paintings 15th-18th Century: Copying, Replicating and Emulating. Archetype Publications Ltd in association with CATS, Copenhagen: London, pp. 58-66. ISBN 9781909492066

2013

Rae, C. and Burnstock, A. (2013) Defining the Origins and Characteristics of Anglo-Netherlandish and Native Workshop Practices in Late Elizabethan / Early Jacobean England: Comparative Technical Study of Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger (1561/2 - 1636), John de Critz the Elder (d.1642), Robert Peake the Elder (c.1551 - 1619 and William Larkin (c.1580 - 1619). 5th International Symposium on Painting Techniques: Painting Techniques, History, Materials and Studio Practice, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 18-20 Sept 2013. (Unpublished)

Rae, C. (2013) New Findings Through Technical Analysis: The Workshop of John de Critz the Elder. New Research on Tudor and Jacobean Painting Techniques, Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, CT, 07 Mar 2013. (Unpublished)

2012

Rae, C. (2012) Portrait Production in Early Jacobean England: Defining Practices in the Workshop of John de Critz the Elder. Copying, Replicating & Emulating Paintings in the 15th-18th Century, Copenhagen, Denmark, 21-22 May 2018. (Unpublished)

2011

Rae, C. and Young, C. (2011) A technical study of three paintings on a Shakespearian theme by Henry Fuseli RA. Picture Restorer, 39, pp. 12-15.

2009

Rae, C. and Belaia, K. (2009) Gauguin at the Metropolitan: Revelations through technical examination. ICON News, 20, pp. 26-27.

This list was generated on Sat Dec 14 21:07:42 2019 GMT.
Jump to: Articles | Book Sections | Conference or Workshop Item | Exhibitions
Number of items: 17.

Articles

Rae, C. and Young, C. (2011) A technical study of three paintings on a Shakespearian theme by Henry Fuseli RA. Picture Restorer, 39, pp. 12-15.

Rae, C. and Belaia, K. (2009) Gauguin at the Metropolitan: Revelations through technical examination. ICON News, 20, pp. 26-27.

Book Sections

Rae, C. (2018) Henry Fuseli: materials, techniques and degradation. In: Reifert, E. (ed.) Henry Fuseli: Drama and Theatre. Prestel in association with Kunstmuseum Basel: Munich. ISBN 9783791357584

Rae, C. and Sheldon, L. (2016) Lost purples: detection, composition and reconstruction. Rediscovering the appearance and contemporary resonance of purple paint in Tudor and Stuart portraits. In: Clarricoates, R., Dowding, H. and Gent, A. (eds.) Colour Change in Paintings. Archetype Publications Ltd in association with the Icon Paintings Group: London, pp. 103-109. ISBN 9781909492431

Rae, C. (2015) Steven van der Meulen. In: Beyer, A., Savoy, B. and Tegethoff, W. (eds.) Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon. Die Bildenden Künstler aller Zeiten und Völker. De Gruyter: Berlin, p. 247. ISBN 9783110232547

Rae, C. (2015) Edward Lutterell. In: Beyer, A., Savoy, B. and Tegethoff, W. (eds.) Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon. Die Bildenden Künstler aller Zeiten und Völker. De Gruyter: Berlin, p. 31. ISBN 9783110232523

Rae, C. (2015) Marcus Gheeraerts, John de Critz, Robert Peake and William Larkin: A comparative study. In: Cooper, T., Burnstock, A., Howard, M. and Town, E. (eds.) Painting in Britain 1500-1630: Production, Influences and Patronage. Oxford University Press: Oxford, pp. 170-179. ISBN 9780197265840

Rae, C. (2015) William Larkin. In: Beyer, A., Savoy, B. and Tegethoff, W. (eds.) Allgemeines Künstlerlexikon. Die Bildenden Künstler aller Zeiten und Völker. De Gruyter: Berlin, p. 207. ISBN 9783110231885

Rae, C. and Burnstock, A. (2014) A technical study of portraits of King James VI and I attributed to John de Critz the Elder (d.1642): Artist, workshop and copies. In: Hermens, E. (ed.) European Paintings 15th-18th Century: Copying, Replicating and Emulating. Archetype Publications Ltd in association with CATS, Copenhagen: London, pp. 58-66. ISBN 9781909492066

Conference or Workshop Item

Rae, C. (2018) A Secret History: Sir Robert Cecil, a Venetian Mosaic, and the Discovery of a Lost Portrait by John de Critz. History of Art Staff Research Symposium, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK, 27 Apr 2018. (Unpublished)

Rae, C. (2017) New thoughts on Adrian Vanson and Adam de Colone: Technical Analysis of Portraits by Two Netherlandish Artists who Worked in Jacobean Scotland. National Galleries of Scotland Public Lecture, Edinburgh, UK, 07 Dec 2017. (Unpublished)

Rae, C. (2016) Adrian Vanson and Adam de Colone: Technical Study of Two Scoto-Jacobean Stranger-Painters. Caroline Villers Research Fellowship Inaugural Lecture, London, UK, 27 Oct 2017. (Unpublished)

Rae, C. , Plender, S. and Burnstock, A. (2015) 'The work of God and not of man,' Gilding and the English Renaissance Portrait. GILT-EnArt 2015 Gilding Materials and Techniques in European Art, Evora, Portugal, 25-27 Mar 2015. (Unpublished)

Rae, C. and Burnstock, A. (2013) Defining the Origins and Characteristics of Anglo-Netherlandish and Native Workshop Practices in Late Elizabethan / Early Jacobean England: Comparative Technical Study of Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger (1561/2 - 1636), John de Critz the Elder (d.1642), Robert Peake the Elder (c.1551 - 1619 and William Larkin (c.1580 - 1619). 5th International Symposium on Painting Techniques: Painting Techniques, History, Materials and Studio Practice, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 18-20 Sept 2013. (Unpublished)

Rae, C. (2013) New Findings Through Technical Analysis: The Workshop of John de Critz the Elder. New Research on Tudor and Jacobean Painting Techniques, Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, CT, 07 Mar 2013. (Unpublished)

Rae, C. (2012) Portrait Production in Early Jacobean England: Defining Practices in the Workshop of John de Critz the Elder. Copying, Replicating & Emulating Paintings in the 15th-18th Century, Copenhagen, Denmark, 21-22 May 2018. (Unpublished)

Exhibitions

Rae, C. , Anderson, K. and Stevenson, L. (2017) Art and Analysis: Two Stranger Painters in Jacobean Scotland. [Exhibitions]

This list was generated on Sat Dec 14 21:07:42 2019 GMT.

Grants

  • 2017: Awarded a Postdoctoral Fellowship by Yale’s Paul Mellon Centre for British Art, London
  • 2016-17: Caroline Villers Research Fellowship, Courtauld Institute of Art
  • 2013: Visiting Scholar, Yale Center for British Art (in residence September/ October 2013). Working in the YCBA Conservation studio alongside Jessica David, Assistant Conservator and Mark Aronson, Chief Conservator. The focus of my research was the technical examination of works by de Critz and Gheeraerts in the Center’s collection.
  • 2013: CPD Bursary from the Clothworkers’ Foundation in order to undertake the ‘Pigments and the Polarising Microscope’ course run by Peter MacTaggart in April 2013
  • 2013: Awarded funding and completed Palaeography course at Senate House (University of London) run by Dr Jenny Stratford
  • 2011: Leverhulme Studentship for doctoral studies
  • 2009: Funding from the June Baker Trust to enable me to undertake an internship in the Conservation Department of the National Galleries of Scotland
  • 2007: NADFAS (National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies) Patricia Fay Memorial Fund
  • 2007: Painters Stainers Scholarship (for three years conservation study)
  • 1999: Major Scottish Studentship for Rubens studies 
  • 1999: University of Edinburgh Small Scholarship for academic excellence
  • 1997: Carnegie Vacation Scholarship to study in the Prado, Madrid
  • 1997: Alfred Bader prize, University of Edinburgh, for best essay on the Rembrandt honours course 

Supervision

  • Visser, Tess
    An examination and comparison of the materials and techniques used by the Glasgow Boys and Matthijs Maris in late nineteenth-century Britain.

Teaching

MLitt Technical Art History: Making and Meaning

  • The Authentic Artwork
  • Art in the Making: Historical Techniques

Undergraduate supervision, MA History of Art