“Una firma nell’acqua”
“A sign in the water”
Bull’s Head and Mermaid: The History of Paper and Watermarks from the Middle Ages to the Modern Period (2009, 128p)
This exhibition is dedicated to a special treasure within the framework of paper history research: watermarks. Visible when holding any bank note against light, watermarks were produced in a myriad of shapes from the 13th century on when they were first invented in Europe. They make an excellent mean to date unidentified documents, a Mozart manuscript for example, or authenticate works of art, such an etching signed “Rembrandt”.
The public is presented with a concise and profound introduction to watermarks, techniques of paper manufacture and the scientific study of papers in general. A special section deals with the watermarks analyzed against the background of medieval symbolism. The importance of watermarks for paleography is also underlined. Watermark scholars and watermark collections in Europe receive a due share of focus, while the digital presentation of watermarks of several European databases establishes the connection between past and present.
A catalog with detailed scientific information serves to deepen the various aspects shown through the exhibition.
This is a Bernstein’s project initiative. The english catalogue is not online yet.
In the Diocesan Library of Cremona you can read the italian catalogue. Click the link on the image!
From 29/10/2008 to 31/12/2008
Archivio Storico Civico and Biblioteca Trivulziana
Castello Sforzesco-Piazza Castello, 1 MILANO
Testa di bue e sirena. La memoria della carta e delle filigrane dal Medioevo al Seicento.
/ cured by Rückert , Peter . – Stuttgart, 2007 . – 94 p.
Watermarks and about 