By Dr. Elizabeth Garner and Joe Kiernan, copyright January 2014
HOW OIL PAINTS AND OIL PIGMENTS WERE MANUFACTURED IN RENAISSANCE TIMES
Oil painting was an extremely dangerous occupation. All pigments were hand made using various extremely toxic materials, that if not handled with extreme caution AND CORRECTLY, could kill. The process to develop the medium involved grinding minerals like cinnabar, realgar, and orpiment, which contained high levels of mercury and arsenic.
Many of the pigments used in the Dürer studio were processed from materials that required significant physical handling. Given the lack of protective gear in the 16th century, the risks of absorption and inhalation were severe. Whether intentional or accidental, the presence of these toxins in the household represents a critical area of study in art history.
Did you know? Many historical pigments were derived from poisonous metallic ores. In this series, we explore how these materials may have impacted the health of the artists and their patrons alike.